Poland’s Minister of Climate and Environment, Paulina Hennig-Kloska, has said the country was prepared to supply electricity to Ukraine if needed.
Her statement on January 7 came in response to Slovakia’s threats to cut power exports to its neighbour.
“Poland can increase electricity sales to Ukraine, but only if Ukraine makes a formal request,” Hennig-Kloska told the public broadcaster TVP Info.
“Our operator is ready to act. It ultimately depends on whether Ukraine chooses or is forced to utilise this option. Fico’s actions are against European unity,” she added, referring to Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico.
Fico recently announced his government was considering cutting electricity supplies to Ukraine and reducing support for refugees. He also called for the resumption of gas transits or compensation for losses Slovakia has faced since Russian gas stopped flowing through Ukraine.
Both Bratislava and Budapest had been able to ride out part of the energy crisis by sourcing gas from Russia against Brussels’ orders. Kyiv’s pipeline closure has left both countries in a dilemma.
Ukraine has expressed concern over Slovakia’s potential decision to restrict power supplies.
Ukraine’s energy minister German Galushchenko has emphasised what he called the critical need for uninterrupted energy imports, especially during the winter months when the country’s infrastructure was under heightened pressure from increased demand and ongoing attacks by Russian forces.
He urged European partners to maintain their commitment to supporting Ukraine’s stability, saying: “Energy security is a matter of national resilience and any disruption would have significant consequences.”
Slovakia Prime Minister Robert Fico has announced possible retaliatory measures against Ukraine after Kyiv halted the flow of Russian gas to his country. https://t.co/xG8TzdK8gJ
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) January 3, 2025
