Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico of wanting to "help" President Vladimir Putin by continuing to import Russian gas.
Zelensky claimed that EU leaders had noticed that Fico, who visited Moscow on 22 December, was opposed to reducing energy dependence on Russia, "which means he wants to help Putin make money to finance the war and weaken Europe," AFP reported.
"We believe that such help for Putin is immoral," he wrote in X.
Slovakia relies heavily on Russian gas and has expressed concern at the prospect of losing supplies as a gas transit contract through Ukraine expires on December 31.
Ukraine has made it clear it will not renew the contract with Russia.
"This is a very difficult situation that requires caution," Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov said.
Fico is one of the few European leaders who has maintained friendly relations with Moscow since hostilities broke out with Ukraine in 2022.
The visit of Fico, whose country is a member of NATO and the European Union, was not announced in advance.
In a statement posted on his Facebook account after the talks, Fico stated that the meeting was "in response" to Zelensky's opposition to any "transit of gas through Ukraine to our territory."
Fico said Putin had confirmed "Russia's readiness to continue supplying gas to the West and Slovakia, which is practically impossible after January 1, 2025," but gave no further details.
The two leaders also exchanged views on the conflict in Ukraine and "the possibility of its peaceful conclusion soon," he said. | BGNES
