Slovak Prime Minister publicly affirms commitment to assisting Putin in obstructing EU efforts to disapprove Russian gas.
Slovak PM Robert Fico's not shy about voicing his opposition to the REPowerEU plan, which aims to kick Russia's gas and other energy resources from the EU. During a chin-wag with Putin, Fico swore he'd use Slovakia's veto power to halt all types of energy imports if needed.
Fico's argument? The EU, and specifically Slovakia, ain't quite ready for a Russian-free energy scene. He reckons you won't find fuel for Westinghouse nuclear power plants just lying around!” Here's a fun fact: Ukraine's been using Westinghouse fuel assemblies since 2015, so that argument's a bit shaky!
Fico's also worried that stopping Russian gas could cause a ruckus, as petrochemical plants depend on it, and halting supplies might lead to tech issues.
EU's been exploring diversifying supply, particularly through Azerbaijan, to ease gas supply concerns. Dan Jørgensen, European Commissioner for Energy and Housing, has been working closely with Slovakia to address these issues.
Rumor has it that Russia and Washington might be chatting about US aid to help Russia resume gas sales to Europe. With Europe massively reducing Russian gas imports following Putin's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Gazprom incurred losses of $7 billion last year. Some sources suggest that Russia's return to the European gas market could bring about a peace deal with Putin.
In April, Gazprom announced it would boost gas supplies to Slovakia through the TurkStream pipeline, although the increase wasn't as grand as initially expected. Once transit through Ukraine stops in 2024, Slovakia primarily relies on Hungary for Russian gas, with Bratislava and Budapest pushing to resume transit through Ukraine. Slovakia has even threatened to veto EU aid to Ukraine over this.
P.S. Slovakia's pro-Russia stance has extended beyond gas issues, with Fico blocking EU military aid to Ukraine and showing reluctance towards further EU sanctions on Russia[1][3]. Fico's economic interests often overrule EU policies aimed at pressuring Russia, causing internal opposition[2][3].
- Slovak PM Robert Fico has expressed his opposition to the REPowerEU plan, aiming to exclude Russia's gas and other energy resources from the EU.
- Fico threatened to use Slovakia's veto power to prevent all types of energy imports if necessary.
- Fico argues that the EU, and Slovakia in particular, is not prepared for a Russian-free energy scene.
- He believes there is no readily available fuel for Westinghouse nuclear power plants as an alternative.
- Ukraine has been using Westinghouse fuel assemblies since 2015, casting doubt on Fico's argument.
- Fico also fears that stopping Russian gas could lead to problems for petrochemical plants that depend on it.
- The EU has been investigating ways to diversify gas supply, including through Azerbaijan.
- Dan Jørgensen, European Commissioner for Energy and Housing, has been collaborating closely with Slovakia to address these issues.
- There are rumors of talks between Russia and Washington regarding US aid to help Russia resume gas sales to Europe.
- With Europe significantly reducing Russian gas imports following Putin's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Gazprom incurred losses of $7 billion last year.
- Some sources suggest that Russia's return to the European gas market could potentially lead to a peace deal with Putin.
- In April, Gazprom announced plans to increase gas supplies to Slovakia through the TurkStream pipeline, although the increase was smaller than anticipated.
- Once transit through Ukraine stops in 2024, Slovakia primarily relies on Hungary for Russian gas.
- Bratislava and Budapest are pushing to resume transit through Ukraine, despite Slovakia's threats to veto EU aid to Ukraine over this.
- Slovakia's pro-Russia stance extends beyond gas issues, with Fico blocking EU military aid to Ukraine and being reluctant towards further EU sanctions on Russia.
- Fico's economic interests often take precedence over EU policies aimed at pressuring Russia, causing internal opposition.
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