BRATISLAVA, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Sunday to discuss issues including the transit of Russian gas, Fico said in a post on social media.
According to Fico, the meeting was a reaction to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who said Thursday at a European Union summit in Brussels that he was against any transit of gas through Ukraine to Slovakia.
Putin confirmed Russia's readiness to continue supplying gas to the West and to Slovakia, the Slovak prime minister said, adding that it is practically impossible after Jan. 1, 2025, when the current contract expires, given the attitude of Zelensky.
Top EU officials were informed about the trip and its purpose on Friday, Fico said.
Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has confirmed that his country will halt the transit of Russian gas through its territory starting Jan. 1, 2025.
The resumption of gas transit would be only possible at the request of the European Commission and if Ukraine transports non-Russian gas, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported on Friday, citing Shmyhal.
Ukraine used to be a key transit route for Russian gas supplies to Europe. ■