Slovakia wins EU concessions to help solve Ukraine gas transit issue

On March 7th, EU leaders called for intensified efforts to resolve the issue of natural gas transit in Ukraine, which is seen as a victory for Slovak Prime Minister Fico. He had threatened to veto the conclusions of the EU emergency summit if the issue was not resolved. In return, Fico supports the EU’s regional defense plan and assistance to Ukraine. Fico had previously refused to militarily support Ukraine in countering Russia’s military actions. Fico is currently seeking alternatives to the Russian natural gas transit through Ukraine that was halted earlier this year. Slovak state-owned gas company Slovensky Plynarensky Priemysel AS is one of the few entities in Central Europe with a long-term contract with Gazprom, the Russian gas industry company.