Slovak president refuses to visit Ukraine over ending of Russian gas transit

Slovak President Peter Pellegrini is refusing to pay an official visit to Kyiv because Ukraine has stopped the transit of Russian gas that Slovakia had been receiving.

Source: Slovak media outlet Aktuality, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Pellegrini said that under the current circumstances, a trip to Ukraine is "not an option" at the moment. 

Quote from Pellegrini: "If I have to go there just to have my picture taken and be told that not one drop of oil or gas will be shipped to Slovakia, then I definitely shouldn’t go. Let no one be offended by me.

In a situation where Ukraine’s government and president have decided to cut off our supply of gas and they are refusing to transit it to Slovakia, posing a serious threat to Slovakia's energy security – in a situation where the Ukrainian parliament is adopting legislation prohibiting the transportation of oil to Slovakia despite our existing contracts – my going to Ukraine is out of the question."

Background: 

• The Slovak president said in December he was considering a visit to Ukraine in 2025. However, he linked his possible visit to the outcome of gas transit negotiations.
• The Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico voiced a list of threats against Kyiv, including a veto of EU decisions on Ukraine. 

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