Ukraine's Foreign Ministry summoned Slovak Ambassador Pavel Vizdal to formally express its "strong rejection" of statements made by Bratislava concerning Ukraine's alleged interference in Slovakia's internal affairs.

Kyiv and Bratislava have been at odds for weeks over Ukraine's decision not to extend a deal for Russian gas transit to Europe that expired at the end of December. Kyiv's tit-for-tat move came a day after Slovakia's foreign ministry said it had summoned the Ukrainian ambassador in Bratislava to protest against Ukrainian comments criticising Fico that it said amounted to interference in Slovak affairs.