The two engaged in discussions in western Ukraine, which centered on support for Kyiv's peace plan. Shmyhal told Fico during the meeting that Ukraine will not renew the transit agreement with Moscow, Reuters reported.
"Ukraine once again says it will not continue the transit agreement with Russia after it expires. Ukraine's strategic goal is to deprive the Kremlin of profits from the sale of hydrocarbons which the aggressor uses to finance the war," Shmyhal told reporters during a press brief.
The announcement comes as a setback to Slovakia, which has been negotiating an extension of oil and gas transportation from Russia to the West via Ukraine. SPP, Slovakia's gas utility, announced this month that it has begun negotiations with Russian supplier Gazprom to extend gas transit through Ukraine until the end of the year. Slovakia, a member of both the EU and NATO, has opposed Ukraine's application to join NATO.
The prime minister of Ukraine also stated that the two nations had reached an agreement to establish an Eastern European energy center. The hub is intended to capitalize on the substantial gas storage facilities in Ukraine.
PM Fico has been a vocal opponent of Western military assistance to Ukraine. He has recently made a public spectacle of suspending government-sponsored military aid to Ukraine while permitting commercial supplies to continue. Fico reiterated his conviction that there was no military solution to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. After the meeting with Shmyhal, Fico said that the Ukrainian government maintained an interest in utilizing its gas and oil transit systems following the termination of the agreement with Russia.
