On January 4, 2025, Slovakia announced its intention to maintain electricity supplies to Ukraine, as confirmed by the state operator of electric systems, SEPS. This decision aligns with the existing agreement with Ukraine's energy company, Ukrenergo, aimed at compensating for power shortages resulting from Russian military attacks.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico previously warned that Slovakia might halt electricity exports to Ukraine starting January 2025 if necessary. His comments came after Ukraine did not renew its gas transit agreement with Gazprom.
In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Fico of potentially opening a second energy front against Ukraine, suggesting that such threats could jeopardize critical electricity supplies during the winter amid ongoing Russian assaults on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
Additionally, on January 2, Fico indicated a possible reduction in support for Ukrainian refugees, linking this to the ongoing gas transit dispute. Fico visited the Kremlin on December 22 to discuss gas supplies with President Vladimir Putin.