The police in Slovakia detained a Ukrainian citizen on Jan. 30 suspected of preparing a coup in the country, Slovak media Aktuality reported. The Ukrainian is being held in the border police office ahead of his deportation to Ukraine,

(Reuters) - Ukraine's foreign ministry summoned Slovakia's ambassador in Kyiv on Thursday to reject accusations that it is meddling in its neighbour's internal affairs and to accuse Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico of being a "mouthpiece" for Russia.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the detention in Slovakia of a Ukrainian national on charges of "threatening national security". The Embassy of Ukraine is investigating the circumstances of the arrest as consuls are providing support.

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.

Relations between Robert Fico in Bratislava and Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv have become increasingly bitter over the month.

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.

A row over the end of Russian gas flows via Ukraine has intensified as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban threatened to block the next rollover of EU sanctions against Russia unless Brussels helps to achieve a restart of supply.

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.

Kyiv refused to extend a deal to transport Russian gas to Europe to stop Moscow earning revenue for its Ukraine invasion. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Tens of thousands of people in Slovakia have gathered at squares and street across the country to voice their opposition to the pro-Russia policies of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico

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Slovakia avoided a shortfall in domestic natural gas supplies in January, despite previous fears voiced by Prime Minister Robert Fico following the halt in Russian gas pipeline flows