SaS: Premier Fico Pulling Slovakia towards Russia

Bratislava, 23 February (TASR) - Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) is pulling Slovakia toward Russia, gambling with the country's security and economy, the opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party said in response to Fico's statements and his pressure to interrupt electricity supplies to Ukraine. According to SaS, this is dangerous and irresponsible behaviour that could damage Slovakia economically, legally, and in terms of reputation. SaS chairman Branislav Groehling said that the prime minister's recent statements are alarming. "I listened to Robert Fico's statements yesterday and today. I looked for responsibility and statesmanship in them, but I found none. What he's doing today is politics that goes against Slovakia's interests. Pushing for the country, which has been attacked by an aggressor, to have its electricity cut off at a time when its inhabitants are facing attacks and winter is absolutely disgusting. It is unimaginable to put SEPS under such political pressure," stressed Groehling. According to him, any interruption in supply would have serious consequences. "If the electricity supply were to be cut off, it could constitute a breach of contract and damage Slovakia's property interests. I ask the prime minister: who is he actually protecting? The citizens of Slovakia or his own political interests? Who will benefit from such a move? It won't be Slovakia. This move will have an impact on our state budget, our companies, and our reputation," emphasised the SaS leader. SaS MP Karol Galek pointed out that the prime minister is reneging on his own promises regarding sovereign policy. "Robert Fico is turning Slovakia into an obedient guberniya of Russia. SEPS can't stop supplying electricity on political orders. There are contracts, there are obligations, and there are statutory representatives who bear legal responsibility for their decisions. The electricity that the premier is talking about today is, in many cases, emergency aid. Fico can't simply disconnect Ukraine without harming Slovakia," said Galek. am