Leaders of the two countries have exchanged accusations and threats ahead of an anticipated halt to Russian gas flows via Ukraine

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico urged the European Commission to address the looming halt of Russian gas transit through Ukraine, saying the economic impact on the European Union will far outweigh the effect on Russia.

Slovakia will consider reciprocal measures against Ukraine such as halting back-up electricity supplies after Jan. 1 if Kyiv, as expected, stops the transit of Russian gas to Slovakia, Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Friday.

Slovakia has expressed outrage over Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's remarks that Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has opened a "second energy front" with his threats to cut off electricity supplies to Ukraine.

Zelensky said this was "the only possible meaning" of Fico's threats to cut off Ukraine's emergency power supply in the winter, given Russian attacks on power plants and the distribution network.

Slovakia has rejected Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's accusation that Prime Minister Robert Fico had opened a "second energy front" against Kyiv on the orders of Russia as a gas transit dispute deepened between the countries.

Poland is prepared to step up electricity exports to Ukraine if Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico follows through on his threat to cut off back-up power supplies to the war-torn country, a senior official said on Sunday.

Poland is prepared to increase electricity exports to Ukraine if Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico follows through on his threat to cut backup power supplies to the war-torn country. Source: Bloomberg,