Moscow - Saba:
Stopping Russian gas supplies via Ukraine will cost Europe 120 billion euros in 2025-2026, the Slovak Prime Minister said on Friday.
"This decision by Zelensky (to stop Russian gas supplies via Ukraine) in 2025-2026 will cost the European Union about 50 billion euros in gas alone and another 70 billion euros in gas-generated electricity," Robert Fico added in a televised message carried by Sputnik news agency, as "Europe will pay an incredible 120 billion euros to stop the flow of Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine, and then via Slovakia to other European countries."
Fico explained that this would lead to an increase in gas prices in Europe, which would further weaken the European economy.
In the same context, Fico stressed that Slovakia is ready to host negotiations on peace in Ukraine at any level.
"I suggest that Slovakia is a suitable country to organize peace negotiations at any level," he said.
"We welcome Putin's positive reaction to our proposal to host the negotiation process to resolve the Ukrainian crisis in our country," the PM added.
Earlier, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that President Vladimir Putin and the Slovakian PM Fico discussed bilateral relations and energy issues during talks in the Kremlin, noting that the conversation was comprehensive.
President Putin received the Slovakian prime minister in the Kremlin on Sunday, who is on a working visit to Moscow, Peskov said.
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