Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy blasts Slovakia’s PM Robert Fico over reluctance to supply options to Russian gasoline. The Ukrainian chief’s fiery remarks come after Fico’s extremely controversial go to to Moscow to on Sunday to satisfy Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy slammed Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico in a submit on social media platform X, previously Twitter, accusing the Slovak chief of serving to Russia’s Vladimir Putin weaken Europe.
Zelenskyy’s feedback adopted a uncommon go to to Moscow by an EU chief because the Kremlin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Fico’s go to to the Russian capital on Sunday was labeled as a one-one-one “working journey” with Putin aimed toward discussing “the worldwide scenario”, prospects of a “peaceable finish” to the warfare in Ukraine and Russian pure gasoline deliveries to Slovakia.
Fico’s journey adopted Zelenskyy’s feedback on Thursday’s European Summit in Brussels. The Ukrainian chief declared his intention of not renewing a five-year settlement signed earlier than the warfare on his nation that enabled the circulation of Russian pure gasoline to some European international locations; together with Slovakia, by Ukraine, set to run out on the finish of this 12 months.
Fico stated Zelenskyy’s resolution would hurt his nation’s pursuits and economic system, opting to hunt an alternate association with Putin as an alternative of sourcing a substitute for Russian gasoline.
Zelenskyy took to X saying the dependency and buy of Russian gasoline helps Putin earn cash to fund his warfare on Ukraine. “We’re dropping folks because of the warfare that Putin began, and we consider that such help to Putin is immoral.”
“Moscow gives important reductions to Fico, however Slovakia pays for them. Such reductions should not free, funds to Russia are made by sovereignty or murky schemes. This ought to be a matter of concern for Slovakia’s regulation enforcement and particular companies,” continued Zelenskyy.
Zelenskyy says that proof of such financing was revealed in final week’s Summit in Brussels. “Leaders noticed that Mr. Fico doesn’t need to take part within the widespread European work on power independence or search alternative for Russian gasoline, however quite needs to help Russia in pushing American gasoline and power sources of different companions away from Europe,” added the Ukrainian president.
Zelenskyy famous that Fico had even refused compensations supplied to Slovakia to ease the transition interval as Europe appears to be like to lower its reliance on Russian power. The Ukrainian chief implied that the Kremlin had incentivised Fico monetarily to make sure Slovakia’s continued curiosity in solely Russian gasoline.
“It isn’t a safety situation for him. He’s particularly within the Russian gasoline and the matter’s value is 500 million U.S. {dollars} per 12 months. Different earnings come from the oil pipe that runs by the Ukrainian territory and provides one other 500 million U.S. {dollars} per 12 months, which helps Mr. Fico.”
Criticism over Fico’s go to to Moscow grows domestically
Hundreds of individuals took half in anti-government protests within the capital, Bratislava, on Monday after the Slovak premier’s shock talks with Putin.
Protesters held placards calling Fico a traitor and denouncing him as their prime minister.
In a submit on X, Michal Šimečka, chief of Slovakia’s largest opposition occasion, Progressive Slovakia, known as Fico’s go to a supply of disgrace for the nation, likening it to betraying their nationwide pursuits and companions.
He continued accusing his rival of constructing Slovakia a software of the Kremlin’s propaganda machine, insisting Fico ought to have negotiated with Ukraine if gasoline was actually his level of concern.
Newest on the bottom in Ukraine
Russian troops have reportedly made important developments in numerous Ukrainian territories, leaving Kiev’s forces on the again foot.
Ukraine has misplaced territory to Russian forces within the northeastern Kharkiv Oblast and japanese Donetsk Oblast areas, in response to Ukrainian media retailers.
The Kremlin’s beneficial properties within the area have been kickstarted by Russia’s capturing of Avdiivka in February, paving the best way for main offensives to batter Ukraine’s japanese fronts for the rest of the 12 months.
A number of key industrial cities within the Donetsk area shortly fell to Russian assaults, as Ukraine, battling troop shortages is now ending the 12 months having ceded a number of key territories.
Ukrainian media additionally experiences {that a} Russian counteroffensive involving North Korean troops could also be imminent, providing little respite or prospect for a constructive change on the battleground.