Slovakia-Russia relations: Fico on talks with Putin within the Kremlin | EUROtoday

Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico met Russian President Vladimir Putin unannounced within the Kremlin on Sunday for talks. This was reported by Russian state tv. It is the primary journey by an official consultant of the Slovak Republic to Russia since its assault on Ukraine in February 2022. According to unconfirmed studies, Fico was solely anticipated in Moscow within the coming days.

There was initially no official details about the content material of the discussions. Fico might have wished to speak to Putin about pure fuel deliveries, advised Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

The Slovak Prime Minister, who is usually criticized by his opponents as “pro-Russian,” additionally desires to journey to Moscow subsequent spring. The authorities workplace in Bratislava introduced on the finish of November that he had accepted an invite to the World War commemoration on May 9, 2025.

Fico is taken into account a critic of the EU and NATO’s Ukraine coverage

The EU and NATO nation Slovakia borders immediately on Ukraine. Unlike Hungary, Slovakia has to date supported all assist to Ukraine determined by the EU in addition to all sanctions in opposition to Russia with out exception. In hanging distinction, the left-wing populist Fico repeatedly attracts consideration by his public criticism of the EU and NATO’s Ukraine coverage. He repeatedly known as on the EU to dealer peace as a substitute of “prolonging the killing and destruction in Ukraine” by arms deliveries.

In phrases of inhabitants, Slovakia was one in every of its most dedicated army supporters after the beginning of the Russian invasion of its neighboring nation. After returning to authorities in October 2023, Fico ended direct arms deliveries from military shares. However, the Slovak protection business continues to provide army items for Ukraine on a business foundation.