Slovak PM Fico Calls Zelenskyy “Beggar and Blackmailer” Over Russian Gas Dispute

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has criticized Ukraine as an unreliable partner and expressed frustration with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s approach to securing international support. Speaking at a parliamentary committee meeting on Friday, Fico accused Zelenskyy of “begging and blackmailing” European countries for financial aid.

The parliamentary session, called by opposition members, focused on Slovakia’s energy strategy following the cessation of Russian gas transit through Ukraine. Fico also addressed questions about his recent meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

Fico claimed that two potential solutions for Slovakia’s gas supply had been discussed with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. The first involved an agreement between Russia and Azerbaijan to route Azerbaijani gas to Slovakia. However, according to Fico, this plan fell through due to Zelenskyy’s actions.

The second option proposed creating a subsidiary of Slovakia’s gas company, SPP, at the Russian-Ukrainian border to facilitate gas transit through Ukraine.

Fico described Zelenskyy as “unreliable” and criticized his diplomatic approach. “He travels across Europe begging and blackmailing others. This needs to stop,” Fico stated.

While commenting on the broader energy partnership, Fico emphasized Slovakia’s longstanding reliance on Russian energy supplies, describing Russia as a “reliable partner.”

Earlier, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico called on Ukraine to resume Russian gas transit through its territory, proposing a workaround to reclassify the gas as Slovak-owned. He accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of halting the transit due to “political whims” and warned of severe economic consequences for Slovakia and the EU. Fico also threatened to cut humanitarian aid to Ukraine, reduce support for refugees, and limit electricity exports, while suggesting potential political retaliation within the EU.