Ukraine's Foreign Ministry summoned Slovak Ambassador Pavel Vizdal on Jan. 30 to express its rejection of Bratislava's claims that Kyiv is interfering in Slovakia's internal affairs. This comes amid tensions between Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Ukraine and Slovakia are embroiled in a diplomatic tussle over the halted Russian gas transit to Europe. Ukraine rebukes Slovakia's Prime Minister Fico, labeling him a Russian 'mouthpiece'. The discord escalates,

Kiev already admits the possibility of transit of Azerbaijani gas through Ukraine, but the best solution for Europe would be to resume transit of Russian gas. This was stated to local media by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico,

The Foreign Ministry of Ukraine is aware of the detention of a Ukrainian citizen born in 1966 in Slovakia on charges of "threatening national security."

Ukraine is ready to consider the possibility of cooperating with European operators on gas transit to the EU, but it is the European Commission that must decide whether the European side needs such transit and whether it is ready to provide it.

Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico, who has sought the resumption of Russian gas transit through Ukraine, will discuss the issue with European Commission officials on Thursday, his office said on Tuesday.

Slovakia and Ukraine are embroiled in a diplomatic dispute following Slovakia's protest against Ukrainian remarks. The row intensified after Slovakia accused Ukraine of propaganda and Ukraine ceased Russian gas transit to Slovakia.

The Moscow-friendly leader has been pushing Brussels hard to put more pressure on Ukraine over Russian energy supplies.View on euronews

Robert Fico was due to discuss his gas transit dispute with Ukraine with EU leaders. A plane ferrying Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to Brussels for a meeting with European Commission top brass was turned around as a result of a technical problem that closed Belgian airspace on Thursday.

Russia concentrates on Donetsk hoping for a decisive breakthrough, as Ukraine claims Moscow has lost almost 835,000 men.

Sweden’s defence minister said on Thursday the Nordic country had agreed to donate its biggest aid package to Ukraine so far, worth 13.5bn Swedish crowns ($1.23bn).