Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has claimed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has allegedly supplied him a €500 million bribe from Russian property in alternate for supporting Ukraine’s NATO membership.

Supply: Politico

Particulars: Fico claims that they mentioned Slovakia’s monetary losses as a result of halt of Russian fuel transit throughout a gathering with Zelenskyy on the European Union summit.

Quote: "Fico mentioned that after he advised Zelenskyy that Slovakia may lose about €500 million in fuel transit charges a yr, the Ukrainian president 'requested me if I might then vote for NATO membership if he gave me €500 million of Russian property, and naturally, I mentioned ‘by no means'."

Particulars: Fico advised reporters that Zelenskyy’s alleged proposals behind closed doorways have been "absurd" and recommended Ukraine had brought about hurt to the EU member state’s economic system.

"We’re demonstrably dealing with a fuel disaster due to President Zelenskyy," Fico acknowledged throughout a press convention earlier than the summit, although he didn’t make clear his remarks additional.

Beforehand, Slovak media reported Fico's account of a dialogue with Zelenskyy concerning Russian fuel transit by way of Ukraine.

"We have now variations on the difficulty of fuel transit by way of Ukraine. I requested him whether or not he can be able to transit different fuel moreover Russian fuel," Fico mentioned.

He mentioned that Zelenskyy dominated out the likelihood that Ukraine may transit any fuel. "He requested if we may think about paying for fuel that funds the struggle," Fico described the dialog.

"We see no cause to pay extra for fuel as a consequence of geopolitical circumstances," the Slovak prime minister acknowledged throughout a press convention on 13 December, accusing the West of exerting stress concerning fuel transit.

Zelensky criticised Slovakia in response, saying: "It’s shameful to speak about cash after we are shedding lives."

Background:

• The transit contract between Ukraine and Russia is about to run out on 1 January 2025. Ukraine acknowledged it doesn’t plan to increase the settlement.
• Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal confirmed to his Slovak counterpart that Kyiv is ruling out the potential of renewing the transit cope with Gazprom however emphasised that Ukraine is open to transporting fuel by way of its system if it isn’t sourced from Russia.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraine wouldn’t take into account renewing the Gazprom settlement or transit Russian fuel disguised as Azerbaijani fuel.
• The European Union has ready for the cessation of transit. The share of Russian fuel in Europe has decreased to six%, with solely 4% transiting by way of Ukraine.
• EU Commissioner for Vitality Dan Jørgensen confirmed that the EU is actively making ready to finish all fuel cooperation with Russia, stating, "Our important precedence is to utterly sever vitality ties between the EU and Russia".

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