PM of Slovakia to persuade Ukraine to keep gas transit after 2024

Robert Fico, Prime Minister of Slovakia, plans to persuade Ukraine not to stop the transit of Russian gas after 2024 when the transit agreement between Ukraine and Gazprom, a Russian majority state-owned multinational energy corporation, expires.

Source: European Pravda; reports Aktuality, Slovak news outlet

Details: Fico said that he did not rule out problems with gas supplies via Ukraine to Slovakia in early 2025, and that he would persuade Kyiv to maintain transit at an intergovernmental meeting slated for 7 October.

Quote from Fico: "We will persuade Ukrainian partners to use their energy infrastructure to import gas and oil to Europe… If it (Ukraine) wants to preserve this infrastructure, it should be used."

He noted that Slovakia supports Ukraine's European integration and counts on friendly steps from Ukraine. 

Quote from Fico: "Both Slovakia and Ukraine would benefit from this because transit fees are paid." 

It is worth noting that Fico speaks of "preserving transit", avoiding any mention of Russian gas. 

The contract with Russia's Gazprom on transit through the Ukrainian gas transmission system expires at the end of 2024. Kyiv has categorically rejected the possibility of extending it. This poses a challenge for the few EU countries, including Slovakia and Austria, that continue to receive Russian gas through the pipeline.

Background: 

• The media report that the EU supposedly discussed maintaining gas transit to Europe through the Ukrainian gas transmission system so that European companies would buy gas from Azerbaijan rather than from Russia. At the same time, Ukraine would continue to use and receive income from its gas transporting system.
• An anonymous source told European Pravda in September that no such talks were underway. "However, if Hungary or Slovakia – only with the support of the European Commission, in accordance with our Association Agreement – ask us to transport Azerbaijani gas, for example, we will have no reason to refuse them," the source said.

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