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Zelensky Criticizes EU PM for Moscow Visit

Ukrainian President condemns European leader's trip to Russia amid ongoing tensions

Zelensky Criticizes EU PM for Moscow Visit
Zelensky Criticizes EU PM for Moscow Visit
Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky condemned the surprise visit of Slovak President Robert Fico to Moscow on Saturday, accusing Bratislava and Moscow of a “terrible conspiracy”.

Zelensky claimed on social media that Russia was offering FICO a steep discount on gas supplies and that FICO would give him every advantage it could because of his country's "sovereignty."   

“This could be a matter of particular concern for Slovak law enforcement agencies and industry,” he added.

Zelensky complained that Bratislava’s partnership with Moscow poses a “huge security concern” across Europe and raises questions about “what they are paying” Fico, and what he is giving in return

Kiev’s decision to suspend supplies of Russian gas to Slovakia did not affect any discounts in Moscow or Bratislava due to gas supply contracts being compromised on Sunday, Slovak Vice President Tomas Taraba said Fico’s visit to Moscow is about getting gas at a “reasonable price”.

He wrote on Facebook , referring to several opposition politicians who had protested: “Funny how the opposition calls on the government to stop increasing gas prices, but when the government goes to negotiate a cheaper source of gas are considered to be betrayed allies.” the visit of the. He pointed out that those who seek additional supplies end up supplying only “replenished Russian gas… with exorbitant transaction costs”. 

“Their way is to betray the Slovaks,” he said.

Zelensky also said in his statement that the Slovak government does not want to "find alternatives to Russian gas," thus helping Moscow "squeeze American gas and other partners' energy wealth out of Europe." He said that Kiev Moscow -considers “such support” for the city as “unethical”.

Zelensky acknowledged that Fico had “refused” Kiev’s offer for Slovakia to “eliminate its dependence on Russian gas,” adding that “the cost of this transaction is US$500 million a year”.

Last week, Fico accused Zelensky of bribing Bratislava with 500 million euros ($521 million) in exchange for supporting Kiev's NATO efforts he said his visit to Moscow was Zelensky's intention to block Russian gas pipelines through Ukraine the edge of the response It came, mostly to Slovakia |. According to Fico, he had previously raised the issue with Zelensky but received “absurd” proposals for solving the problem.

Natural gas is supplied to Slovakia primarily through the Soviet-era Druzba pipeline from Russia through Ukraine. Slovakia’s energy security is now under threat as Kiev plans not to extend the transport agreement beyond its December 31 expiry date.

Fico, a critic of Western aid to Ukraine, has suspended state and military aid to Kiev and has repeatedly called for the lifting of EU sanctions on Russia. In May, he survived an assassination attempt by an activist who criticized his views on Ukraine. In October, he disclosed a second potentially life-threatening incident because of his stance on the conflict.