Czechia is ready to help Slovakia ensure stable gas supplies. Prague can offer this assistance once Ukraine halts the transit of Russian gas, states the Czech Minister of Industry, Lukas Vlcek, according to Reuters.

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

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.

Now Slovakia is urging the European Commission to address the looming halt of Russian gas supplies through Ukraine, saying the economic impact on the EU will far outweigh the effect on Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to block Russian gas flows through his country from January,

Ukraine will quadruple gas transit tariffs for its domestic customers starting Jan. 1 when a deal to transport Russian gas through Ukrainian pipes expires, the National Energy Regulatory Commission said during a meeting on Dec.

Russia pumped gas on Monday to European customers via Ukraine for one of the last days before a key transit deal expires at the end of the year, marking the almost complete loss of Russia's once mighty hold over the European gas market.