Fico announced that he has reached an agreement with Putin regarding gas supplies for Slovakia.

Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that he secured gas supplies to Slovakia during his visit to Vladimir Putin in Moscow at the end of December, prior to Ukraine halting gas transit.

This was reported by RBK-Ukraine citing Reuters.

"I needed to ensure at least gas for Slovakia's domestic consumption, which we achieved, even without increasing gas prices," he said.

The Prime Minister of Slovakia did not provide further details regarding the gas supplies.

Fico accused Kyiv of harming Slovakia by not extending the agreement for the transit of Russian gas, which is set to expire at the end of 2024, and also threatened to halt electricity supplies to Ukraine and reduce aid for refugees.

According to Slovak gas transmission operator Eustream, after the cessation of supplies from Ukraine, Slovakia continued to receive gas through Hungary, where Russian gas flows via the "Turkish Stream."

Fico claimed that the suspension of supplies from Ukraine allegedly cost the country €500 million in transit fees and €1 billion due to higher gas prices.

He again accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of "sabotaging the financial interests of Slovakia and the EU" by refusing to extend the transit of Russian gas.

Fico is scheduled to meet with representatives of the European Commission in Brussels on January 9 to discuss the cessation of gas transit through Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Fico of opening a "second energy front" against Ukraine at Russia's behest.

Earlier, the Slovak Ministry of Economy stated that the cessation of Russian gas transit through Ukrainian territory would not lead to a gas shortage in the country.

Stopping the transit of Russian gas from the east will primarily have financial consequences for Slovakia. Slovak gas companies will pay approximately €177 million more in transit fees for gas coming from the west instead of the east, the ministry reported.