Slovak PM, Robert Fico Meets Putin In Moscow Over Ukraine War

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has made an unanticipated visit to Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, becoming only the third Western leader to meet Putin since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago.

Fico, a vocal critic of the European Union’s support for Ukraine during the conflict, stated that the discussions focused on Slovakia’s reliance on Russian gas supplies. The country’s current agreement with Gazprom, which allows the transit of Russian energy through Ukraine to Slovakia, is set to expire at the end of the year.

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“Top EU officials were informed about my journey and its purpose… on Friday,” Fico shared in a Facebook post. He explained that the visit was partly prompted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s recent remarks to EU leaders opposing the continued transit of Russian gas through Ukrainian territory.

During the Moscow meeting, Fico said he had an extended conversation with Putin, exchanging views on the military situation in Ukraine and exploring possibilities for an “early, peaceful end to the war.” They also discussed the broader relationship between Russia and Slovakia.

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Slovakia and Hungary, both heavily dependent on Russian gas, have expressed concerns about potential disruptions to their energy supplies. Fico’s stance on the war has been a point of contention; after resuming office as Slovakia’s prime minister in October 2023, he ended the country’s military aid to Ukraine. However, he insists on maintaining Slovakia as a “good, friendly neighbour” to Ukraine.

Fico’s meeting with Putin coincided with a security summit involving the leaders of Italy, Sweden, Greece, and Finland. Following the summit, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo described Russia as a “permanent and dangerous threat” to the EU, emphasizing the importance of increased defence spending and continued support for Ukraine.

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