Ukraine Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Monday his government understands Slovakia's "acute dependence" on Russian gas, but reiterated Ukraine will not extend the transit agreement with Russia after it expires at the end of 2024.
Ukraine's strategic goal is to impose sanctions on Russian gas, depriving the Kremlin of profit from the sale of hydrocarbons, which it uses to finance the war, Shmyhal said during a joint press conference with Slovakia Prime Minister Robert Fico following a joint government session near Uzhhorod.
"We call on all European countries to completely abandon oil and gas from Russia," Shmyhal stated. "We understand the acute dependence of some countries, in particular Slovakia, on this resource. But we are counting on the gradual diversification of supplies."
Fico, who has denounced military aid to Ukraine and sanctions targeting Russia, supported Ukraine's EU membership.
"We unconditionally support Ukraine's membership in the EU," Fico told Shmyhal during the joint government session, as quoted by Bloomberg. "You can count on us."
However, Fico indicated in an interview with Slovak Radio on Saturday that, in exchange for this support, he expects Ukraine "to behave normally and reasonably," Bloomberg reported. "Both Ukraine and Slovakia would benefit from gas transit, as transit fees would be paid," Fico stated.
Shmyhal said Ukraine is ready to continue to fulfill its obligations under the Association Agreement with the EU and the Energy Charter Treaty.
Vojtech Ferencz, CEO of Slovak state-owned gas buyer SPP, told Reuters last month that the company was continuing negotiations to secure an extension of gas transit through Ukraine.
