Mark Rutte says Ukraine not yet in the โposition of strengthโ it needs for talks with Russia; Biden says US and allies โcanโt walk awayโ. What we know on day 1,056Ukraine is not in a strong enough position for peace talks with Russia, Nato chief, Mark …
Ukraine’s leader took a personal jab at Robert Fico after the Slovakian PM threatened to cut Kyiv off from electricity exports.
Alexander Schallenberg reassures officials that pro-Russian chancellor would be restrained.
Robert Fico blamed his coalition partners for the crisis.
Thousands massed in a central square in Bratislava on Friday, chanting “We are Europe”, “We are ashamed of Fico” and “We will not give up on Slovakia”.
The post Thousands rally against Slovakia seeking closer Russia ties appeared first on Euractiv.
Protests erupt once more in Slovakia over Fico’s pro-Moscow stance
Also in this newsletter: Will Slovakia really cut off electricity supplies to Ukraine?
Slovakia ramps up anti-Zelenskyy rhetoric amid Russian gas transit spat
“We can stop all humanitarian aid,” he told reporters in Brussels.
The post Slovakia’s Fico doubles down on Ukraine threats over halted gas transit appeared first on Euractiv.
The Slovak prime minister has appealed to the EU to intervene in a growing row with Kyiv.
Since 1 January Slovakia has continued receiving gas coming via Hungary, which receives Russian gas via TurkStream
The post Fico says he secured gas supply for Slovakia in talks with Putin appeared first on Euractiv.
Vienna could be about to get its first far-right leader since World War II. Europe’s mainstream sees trouble brewing.
Their demand: either Ukraine resumes the transit of Russian gas westward or Slovakia should be compensated.
The post Slovaks to meet Commission without Ukrainians to discuss gas transit appeared first on Euractiv.
Far-right leader Herbert Kickl says he’s prepared for new elections if his party can’t find a submissive junior partner.
Claims Kyiv torpedoed talks on energy supplies don’t reflect reality, the country’s EU ambassador told POLITICO.
EU countries are behind on most, if not all, their sustainability commitments.
This short-term cancellation will not end efforts to improve relations between Kyiv and Bratislava.
The post Commission last-minute cancels Slovakia-Ukraine gas dispute talks appeared first on Euractiv.
A sprawling government corruption scandal from 2006 ended multiple political careers. Failure to punish the culprits ended public faith in the system.
Analysts say the Polish presidency is a key moment for Europe above all due to Trumpโs arrival and the situation in Ukraine but also issues related to the broader economy.
The post Poland takes over EU presidency with focus on security appeared first o…
Slovakia threatens to cut aid to Ukrainian refugees over end of Russian gas
Prime Minister Robert Fico said in a video message that his Smer party would consider cutting electricity supplies to Ukraine, adding that a Slovak delegation would discuss the situation in Brussels next Tuesday.
The post Slovakia brings its grievance…
A dispute between Slovakia and Ukraine over Russian natural gas transit has been escalating.
A dispute between Slovakia and Ukraine over Russian natural gas transit has been escalating.
Kyiv’s decision not to renew a deal with the Kremlin hasn’t sparked the catastrophe the Slovak prime minister imagined.
Explosions boomed across the morning sky as Ukraineโs air force warned of incoming drones. What we know on day 1,044See all our Ukraine war coverage Russia launched a New Yearโs Day drone strike on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv early on Wednesday, killing…
Top Putin ally has threatened to retaliate against Kyiv.
Although Europe has fought to wean itself off dependence on Russian gas since Putin sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022, several eastern European states still look to Moscow for much of their energy needs.
The post End of Russian gas via Ukraine …
5 totally not tongue-in-cheek reasons to be optimistic about the year ahead.
Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko also says Kyiv can buy electricity from Romania and Poland if it loses supplies from Bratislava.
Supplies of Russian gas via Ukraine are due to stop from the early hours of 1 January, as Kyiv has refused to negotiate a new transit deal.
The post Russian gas flows via Ukraine for last day as transit deal crumbles appeared first on Euractiv.
“Slovakia is part of the single European energy market and Fico must respect common EU rules,” Zelenskyy said, adding that cutting power supplies to Ukraine would deprive Slovakia of 19% of the electricity it imports. .
The post Zelenskyy hits back at …
Diplomatic spat between Slovakia and Ukraine continues.
Claim from FSB comes two weeks after Ukrainian assassination of senior Russian general Igor KirillovOn 8 March 2023, International Womenโs Day, Russian soldiers were handing out tulips and boughs of mimosa to women and girls in the city of Melitopol, s…
“If it is unavoidable, we will halt the electricity supplies that Ukraine needs during grid outages. Or we will agree on a different course of action,” said Robert Fico.
The post Slovakia to consider reciprocal measures if Ukraine stops Russian gas tra…
Kyiv reports heavy casualties among Pyongyangโs soldiers in Russia while Washington accuses generals of seeing the troops as โexpendableโ. What we know on day 1,039See all our Ukraine war coverageNorth Korean troops deployed in Russiaโs Kursk region ar…
Putin open to accepting NATO member Slovakia as ‘neutral site’ for Ukraine peace talks
Putin said Thursday that Slovakia had offered to be a “platform” for possible peace talks. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is close to the Kremlin.
Putin said that Fico, an outspoken opponent of EU support for Ukraine, had offered his country as to host talks between Russia and Ukraine.
The post Putin says Slovakia could host peace talks with Ukraine appeared first on Euractiv.
Nato chief Mark Rutte criticises all attacks on critical infrastructure; Putin says Slovakia has offered to be โplatformโ for any peace talks. What we know on day 1,038See all our Ukraine war coverage Continue reading…
“Why not?” Russian president asked reporters. “For us it’s an acceptable alternative.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticised Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico for his stance on Russian gas imports, accusing him of helping President Vladimir Putin fund the war in Ukraine. This comes after Ficoโs visit to Moscow, where he …
Ukraine president criticises world leaders for doing โalmost nothingโ to counteract Moscowโs military cooperation with Pyongyang. What we know on day 1,035Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that more than 3,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wound…
Zelenskyy slams Slovakia’s PM Robert Fico following a controversial visit to meet Putin in Moscow
Fico wants to help Putin earn money to fund the war and weaken Europe, says Zelenskyy.
Slovakia, which heavily relies on Russian gas, has raised concerns about the prospect of losing supplies as a contract allowing its transit through Ukraine expires by year-end.
The post Slovak PM Fico on surprise visit to Kremlin to talk gas deliveries…
Slovakia is dependent on gas passing through neighbouring Ukraine, and it has ramped up efforts to maintain those flows from 2025, after a five-year agreement expiresSee all our Ukraine coverageRussian president, Vladimir Putin met the Slovakian prime …
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Sunday, discussing gas transit and the war in Ukraine, as Kyiv signals it will not renew a key gas deal with Slovakia. The visit, condemned by Slovak oppos…
Robert Fico’s visit to Moscow comes as Putin-friendly EU leaders try to ensure Russian gas keeps flowing into Europe.
Slovakiaโs prime minister has โone-on-oneโ meeting at the Kremlin as Ukraine prepares to halt transit of Russian gas
Slovakia’s prime minister has controversial talks with Putin in Moscow
Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico’s fears for energy security are unfounded, senior Ukrainian official tells POLITICO.
This development appears to end hopes that gas transiting via Ukraine could continue to flow after 31 December, when a long-term gas transit contract between Moscow and Kyiv ends.
The post Azerbaijan-brokered deal to keep gas flowing to EU via Ukraine …
Over 3,300 doctors resignations will be withdrawn. The immediate crisis is avoided, with the stability contingent on Februaryโs parliamentary votes.
The post Slovak doctorsโ avoid prison, Fico’s government avoids mass resignations, for now appear…
After the US imposed new sanctions on Russia’s Gazprombank in November, creating an obstacle for buyers of Russian gas, Turkey, Hungary and Slovakia asked for exemptions.
The post Turkey, Hungary receive US sanction waiver for gas payments to Russia ap…
An agreement that allows Moscow to pump fuel via Ukraine is set to expire at the end of the year.
Stagnation, flagging competitiveness, Donald Trump โ the continent is facing “an existential challenge.”
Slovakia, receiving gas from Russia via pipelines in Ukraine, has been in talks to try to avoid Russian gas flows stopping when a transit contract between Kyiv and Moscow expires at the end of the year.
The post Slovakia leads effort for continued Ukra…
The companies’ plea to the EU comes as the region faces a gas supply cutoff from Moscow via Ukraine later this month.
Prime Ministr Denys Shmyhal said Ukraine was willing to discuss transit of gas of any origin except Russian.
The post Ukraine ready to work out new deal for gas transit to Europe appeared first on Euractiv.
In todayโs edition of the Capitals, find out more about the Bucharest mayor announcing his presidential run, a proposde โฌ7,300 monthly pay increase for ministers causing uproar in Italy, and so much more.ย
The post Slovakia accuses EU Parliament of …
Diplomats said they expected that proposal would be adopted by EU governments in a majority vote.
The post EU moves towards suspending visa-free travel for Georgian diplomats appeared first on Euractiv.
“We reject such interference,” Blanรกr said.
The post Slovakia accuses EU Parliament of โinterferenceโ in Georgiaโs elections appeared first on Euractiv.
Hungary and Slovakia veto EU sanctions on Georgian officials as protests continue
Discussions include the issue of transit through Ukrainian territory, Slovak prime minister says.
โThe whip will not work on doctors.โ
The post Slovakiaโs striking doctors, opposition urge president to block ‘forced labour’ law appeared first on Euractiv.
The Slovak health ministry and health trade unions have three weeks to reach a consensus, with serious healthcare disruption looming, and the risk of imprisonment.
The post Slovak health system on life support after parliament threatens doctors with pr…
Momentum for quitting Moscowโs revenue driver has stalled. “Something new needs to happen,” Dan Jรธrgensen told POLITICO.
Slovak citizens who violated COVID-19 measures can receive compensation, with their misdemeanours cleared. Fico aims to correct “a dark period” of Slovak legal process.
The post Fico proposes ‘COVID amnesty’ and compensation for thousands o…
Latvia and Lithuania vetoed the package, objecting to the extension of a carveout that lets EU firms continue operating in Russia.
The Economy Ministry confirmed to Euractiv Slovakia that it has long supported the deal.
Unexpected sanctions imposed by the U.S. on Gazprombank threaten Moscow’s contracts with Hungary and Slovakia.
The Capitals brings you the latest news from across Europe, through on-the-ground reporting by Euractivโs media network. You can subscribe to the newsletter here. The European news you deserve to read. Welcome to The Capitals by Euractiv. Stay ahead of…
“Despite extensive efforts from Western partners, Ukraineโs position hasnโt improved significantly,โ
Countries pushing for an early revision of EU CO2 car rules include Italy, Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia and France.
In todayโs edition of the Capitals, find out more about the opposition leader in Slovakia being ready to discuss snap elections, the Italian government presenting a united front, and so much more.ย
Slovakia detains two over alleged hybrid attacks on infrastructure
Peter Kaลพimรญr spared from facing trial because of overhaul of penal code introduced by his old ally Robert Fico
Slovakia’s draft language law sparks fears over rights of Hungarian minority
Slovakia’s draft language law sparks fears over rights of Hungarian minority
Korฤok wants “to help make Slovakia a modern, European nationโ.
Despite a global surge in clinical trials over the past decade, Europeโs role in advancing new medical treatments is waning. As the EU struggles to regain competitiveness, fragmentation is dragging the sector.
Fico called for “an end to the killing of Slavs in Ukraine”, a phrase used in pro-Russian rhetoric.
Fico mentioned that polls cannot be trusted.
Remote healthcare in Slovakia continues to struggle with accessibility, awareness, and implementation. A new legislative framework for telemedicine is being incorporated into the country’s healthcare system.
The bloc has lost its purpose โ and, surprisingly, having the former president back in the White House may be the thing to bring it back.
Our team of policy reporters dissect what you need to know about Brussels’ biggest event of the year.
“Anyone who claims that Romanians are better off than us should move there,” said Hungarian prime minister.
The wigs and signs were clearly not taken lightly.
The unflappable Slovak is the second-longest serving commissioner of all time โ and Ursula von der Leyenโs man for all seasons.
Under Robert Fico, Slovakia has been keen to build closer bilateral and economic ties and alliances with non-EU countries, including China, its biggest trading partner outside of the 27-state bloc, as well as Russia.
Bears are a hot political topic in Slovakia.
Prime Minister Robert Fico has tightened his grip on Slovakia using Hungarian leader Viktor Orbรกnโs playbook as inspiration
Fico has drawn criticism over his appearance on Russia’s propaganda channel.
Since Robert Fico returned to power in Bratislava, Czech-Slovak relations have deteriorated.
Scholz now seems to view the bloc as a problem to be managed, while European institutions and member countries seem to regard him as a problem to be managed in return.
A growing Kremlin-friendly bloc in Central Europe would pose a major problem for the EU.
Healthcare workers remain dissatisfied with Slovakia’s current fiscal consolidation plan, despite the new Health Minister ล aลกko’s โฌ100 million concession. The unions refuse to move, taking a tougher stance in negotiations.
Recent efforts from the Slovakian parliament have โalleviated some of the Commissionโs concerns,โ a European Commission spokesperson said.
His expertise from Hungary applies in Slovakia.
Ukraine’s Zelenskyy wants an immediate invitation to join the alliance, but key capitals are balking.
