Slovakia Considers Cutting Benefits for Ukrainian Refugees Amid Gas Dispute

Prime Minister Robert Fico of Slovakia has announced potential cuts to benefits for over 130,000 Ukrainian refugees due to a dispute with Ukraine regarding gas supply disruptions. As Slovakia faces financial losses from the halted pipeline, the political climate intensifies, impacting humanitarian support.

Slovakia's Prime Minister, Robert Fico, has placed Ukrainian refugees in a precarious position by threatening to slash financial assistance for over 130,000 individuals living in the country. This announcement comes amid escalating tensions between Slovakia and Ukraine over a crucial pipeline shutoff that Ukraine enacted on January 1. This pipeline, historically essential for the supply of Russian natural gas to Central Europe, has left Slovakia confronting substantial financial losses, as they traditionally earned millions in transit fees.

According to data from the UN's refugee agency (UNHCR), Slovakia is currently home to 130,530 refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine, part of a global population of 6,813,900 displaced by the conflict. Fico's criticism of Ukraine has grown sharper following his controversial visit to Moscow last December, during which he held talks with President Vladimir Putin. Fico labeled Ukraine's gas pipeline decision as "sabotage."

The Slovak Prime Minister indicated that he would advocate for halting electricity exports to Ukraine and would consider significantly reducing financial aid to Ukrainian refugees residing in Slovakia. While Fico expressed confidence that Slovakia would not face gas shortages due to alternative procurement arrangements, he warned that the disruption could potentially cost Slovakia upwards of 500 million euros (£415 million; $518 million) in lost transit revenues, leading to the necessity for adjustments in public funding.

Fico underscored the urgency for Slovakia to either renew gas transit with Ukraine or establish compensation mechanisms to offset financial losses. In response to Fico's remarks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused him of undermining Ukraine’s efforts against Russian aggression. Zelensky asserted that Fico's actions serve to facilitate Russian objectives and exacerbate the suffering of Ukrainians.

Support from neighboring Poland has been offered should Slovakia go through with its electricity supply cuts, as these exports are critical for Ukraine’s energy needs amid Russian bombardments of power facilities. The Polish government declared that the cut would represent another setback for Moscow, while the European Commission confirmed that the EU is prepared to handle these regional changes, with most member states capable of managing the repercussions. Meanwhile, Moldova, which is not part of the EU, continues to grapple with energy shortages, while Russian gas still flows to Hungary, Turkey, and Serbia via the TurkStream pipeline.