Russian gas exports to Europe through Ukraine ceased on New Year’s Day after their transit agreement expired. Credit: Nasibli Sabir/Shutterstock.

Slovakia’s coalition government is considering potential retaliatory actions against Ukraine following that country’s decision to halt the transit of Russian gas to Slovakia through its territory.

Prime Minister Robert Fico announced that his Smer party is contemplating a range of responses, including reducing electricity exports to Ukraine, decreasing aid to Ukrainian refugees and insisting on the resumption of gas transits or compensation for the financial impact on Slovakia.

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Russian gas exports to Europe via Ukraine ceased on New Year’s Day 2025 as the transit agreement between the two countries expired, ending a long-standing era of Moscow’s energy influence in Europe.

Despite Slovakia having alternative gas sources, Prime Minister Fico has expressed concerns over lost transit revenue and additional costs for importing non-Russian gas.

He also warned of potential hikes in European gas and power prices due to the disruption.

Fico described Ukraine’s move as “sabotage” and revealed plans for a Slovak delegation to discuss the issue in Brussels.

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Fico was quoted by Reuters as saying: “I declare (my Smer-SSD party) [is] ready to debate and agree in the coalition on halting supplies of electricity and on significant lowering of support for Ukrainian citizens in Slovakia.”

“The only alternative for a sovereign Slovakia is the renewal of transit or demanding compensation mechanisms that will replace the loss in public finances of nearly €500m.”

Slovakia, sharing a border with Ukraine to the east, has provided Ukraine with 2.4 million megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity during the first eleven months of 2024, as Ukraine faces power shortages due to Russian military actions.

State-owned gas importer SPP, which supplies roughly two-thirds of Slovak demand, anticipates additional costs of €90m, primarily in transit fees, to replace Russian gas in 2025.