Slovakia's coalition government will discuss retaliatory measures to take against Ukraine after it halted the flow of Russian gas through its territory to Slovakia, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Thursday.

Fico reiterated his intention to maintain a foreign policy approach oriented toward “all four corners of the world,” describing it as “a policy based on respect for international law and non-interference in the internal affairs of others.

Despite EU efforts to reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels, Slovakia remains reliant on Russian gas under a long-term contract with Russia's state-owned energy giant Gazprom. Switching to alternative supply routes could cost Slovakia an additional €220 million ($229 million) in transit fees.

Volodymyr Zelenskiy accused Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico on Saturday of opening a "second energy front" against Ukraine on the orders of Russia.

How much of Europe's gas needs actually depend on this route? Right. So good morning, Lizzie. So basically, 5% of all the region's gas needs depend on this route at the moment. But the thing is, this route has been,

Slovakia will consider reciprocal measures against Ukraine such as halting back-up electricity supplies after Jan. 1 if Kyiv, as expected, stops the transit of Russian gas to Slovakia, Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Friday.

Russia will no longer transport gas to Europe via Ukraine’s pipelines, further limiting its ability to raise capital