By Albin Sybera in Bratislava Russian gas flows via the Brotherhood pipeline across Ukraine will end at midnight on December 31, cutting the last operating direct pipeline link from Russia to the West.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy pushed back at a threat by Slovakia to cut off back-up power supplies to Ukraine if Kyiv stops transporting Russian gas to central Europe.Most Read from BloombergMigrant Crisis Pushed US Homelessness to Record High in 2024It appears Russian President Vladimir Putin gave Robert Fico,

Leaders of the two countries have exchanged accusations and threats ahead of an anticipated halt to Russian gas flows via Ukraine

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico threatened to cut off back up power supplies to Ukraine if Kyiv stops transporting Russian gas to Central Europe.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced on Dec. 27 that his government will evaluate potential reciprocal measures against Ukraine, including halting electricity supplies, if Ukraine stops the transit of Russian gas to Slovakia after January 1.

Volodymyr Zelensky responded to threats from Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. "It appears that Putin gave Fico the order to open the second energy front against Ukraine at the expense of the Slovak people's interests,

The Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, has warned Ukraine about the possibility of cutting off electricity supplies if Kyiv halts the transit of Russian gas. Additionally, Fico has proposed Slovakia as a venue for peace negotiations in the ongoing Ukrainian-Russian conflict.