Slovak PM’s surprise Moscow trip: Talks with Putin grab attention

Slovakia’s Prime Minister, Robert Fico, surprised many with a visit to Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Fico became only the third Western leader to meet Putin since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The main topic of discussion was Slovakia’s reliance on Russian gas. Fico said the two leaders addressed the expiring gas transit deal with Russian energy giant Gazprom, which ends this year. Slovakia depends on this gas for energy, making the discussion critical.

Fico, a vocal critic of the European Union’s support for Ukraine, explained that his visit was partly in response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s opposition to Russian gas passing through Ukrainian territory. Fico shared that he informed EU officials about his trip and its purpose just days before the meeting.

In Moscow, Fico and Putin also talked about the military situation in Ukraine. The two leaders discussed potential paths to an early peaceful resolution to the conflict. Additionally, they explored ways to strengthen mutual relations between Slovakia and Russia.

Slovakia, along with Hungary, has raised concerns about potential disruptions to its Russian gas supplies. When Fico returned to power in October 2023, he halted Slovakia’s military aid to Ukraine. However, he emphasized that Slovakia seeks to remain a “good, friendly neighbor” to Ukraine despite these policy shifts.

Fico’s visit came as EU leaders, including the Prime Ministers of Italy, Sweden, Greece, and Finland, gathered for a security summit. Finland’s Prime Minister, Petteri Orpo, underscored Russia’s persistent threat to the EU and stressed the need for increased defense spending and continued support for Ukraine.