Slovakia's Prime Minister Threatens to Slash Support for Ukrainian Refugees Amid Escalating Dispute

People resting at a refugee shelter in Ubla, Slovakia, in February 2022 after Russia launched its war against Ukraine

 Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has issued a stark warning to over 130,000 Ukrainian refugees residing in his country, threatening significant cuts to their financial assistance as tensions between Bratislava and Kyiv intensify. The rift centers on Ukraine's recent decision to shut down a long-standing pipeline delivering Russian natural gas to Central Europe, a move that has profound financial implications for Slovakia.

As of January 1, Ukraine ceased operations of the pipeline, which for decades facilitated the transit of Russian gas to the region. This closure jeopardizes Slovakia's receipt of hundreds of millions of euros in transit fees, with estimates suggesting a potential loss of €500 million ($518 million). Fico, who made headlines in December with an unexpected visit to Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, lambasted Ukraine’s actions as “sabotage.”

Fico has unveiled plans to propose halting electricity exports to Ukraine and sharply diminishing monetary support extended to Ukrainian refugees in Slovakia. While emphasizing that Slovakia itself remains insulated from potential gas shortages due to alternative arrangements, Fico underlined the substantial fiscal blow the nation faces from lost transit fees.

"The sole viable path for a sovereign Slovakia is either the restoration of transit operations or the establishment of compensatory mechanisms to counterbalance the fiscal deficit," Fico asserted.

His rhetoric drew sharp criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who accused Fico of undermining Ukraine’s resistance to Russian aggression. “Fico is actively aiding Russia’s campaign to amplify the suffering of Ukrainians while weakening our position,” Zelensky remarked last month.

Poland has stepped forward, expressing readiness to bolster Ukraine should Slovakia sever its electricity exports. Ukrainian power supplies remain critical as Russian assaults on energy infrastructure persist. The Polish government praised Kyiv’s cessation of Russian gas transit as a strategic triumph over Moscow.

Meanwhile, the European Commission has reassured member states that contingency plans are in place to mitigate disruptions, with most EU nations well-prepared to adapt. However, the ripple effects of Ukraine’s decision extend beyond the EU, as Moldova, which lies outside the bloc, grapples with energy shortages.

In contrast, Russia continues to funnel gas to Hungary, Turkey, and Serbia via the TurkStream pipeline traversing the Black Sea.

The unfolding scenario underscores the intricate dynamics of regional energy politics, where strategic decisions reverberate across borders, affecting not only national economies but also the livelihoods of displaced individuals seeking refuge.