On December 27, local time, Slovak Prime Minister Fico said that if Ukraine stops Russian natural gas transit, Slovakia will consider taking reciprocal measures against Ukraine and stop providing Ukraine with much-needed electricity supply.

Fico said that Slovakia is willing to host peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. Earlier, Russian President Putin said that Slovakia is ready to host Russian-Ukrainian talks, and Moscow is not opposed to hosting such talks. In addition, Fico also criticized Ukrainian President Zelensky for rejecting the ceasefire proposal.

In 2019, Russia and Ukraine signed a five-year agreement on Russian natural gas transiting Ukraine to Europe, which will expire on the 31st of this month. Ukrainian President Zelensky said during the European Union summit on the 19th that Ukraine would not extend the agreement. Ukrainian Prime Minister Shmygal said on the 20th that Ukraine will shut down the gas pipeline at 7:00 on January 1, 2025. He also said that if the European Commission makes a request, the possibility of continuing to transport Russian natural gas to Europe through Ukraine is not ruled out if legal and technical conditions are met.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on the 26th that it would be difficult to renew the agreement on Russian natural gas transiting Ukraine to Europe this year, and Russia may consider other gas transmission routes such as transiting Poland.