Zelensky said that Ukraine had offered Slovakia assistance for the adaptation period, but "Fico arrogantly refused."In response to Zelensky's statement, Fico said he would not respond to avoid "further escalation of tensions." Fico claimed he wanted to focus instead on "resolving the situation with the shutdown of gas transit."The Slovakian prime minister said he would like to hold a meeting with Zelensky in Slovakia near the border with Ukraine "as soon as possible."Fico believed that this move would establish "favorable conditions" for discussing gas supplies to Slovakia and other countries through Ukraine and possible "technical solutions," considering the termination of the contract between Ukraine and Russia on Dec. 31, 2024.Fico also estimated Slovakia's alleged losses from stopping Russian gas supplies via Ukraine at 500 million euros ($510 million) per year.Fico and his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban have been among some of the most vocal opponents of Ukraine's decision to stop Russian gas transit.