Acceptance of Ukraine's decision over gas transit could lead to tension: Slovak PM

Tacit acceptance of Ukraine's decision to halt Russian gas transit will heighten tensions, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico warned in a letter to the European Union (EU) on Sunday, reported Xinhua.

In the open letter posted on social media, Fico described the move as wrong, irrational, and likely to trigger reciprocal measures.

The current five-year contract to transit Russian gas through Ukraine will expire at the end of this year, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made clear he has no intention to renew it next year.

Earlier this month, the European Commission stated it would not support discussions on extending the gas transit contract or seek alternative solutions to maintain flows, and it has not been involved in any negotiations regarding the matter, according to media reports.

Fico cautioned that ending the gas transit would harm the EU more than Russia.

He criticized Zelensky for unilaterally announcing the transit shutdown without consulting EU bodies or affected member states.

Fico said earlier that his government will consider measures including cutting electricity supplies to Ukraine.