Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico met Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday in a rare visit by an EU leader to Moscow. The meeting comes as the contract allowing for Russian gas to transit through Ukraine nears its end, leaving Slovakia dependent on alternative routes.
Fico criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for refusing to extend the contract expiring at the end of 2024. However, Fico said Putin confirmed Russia’s readiness to supply gas to the West and Slovakia, which would be “practically impossible” after January 1, 2025.
The Slovak PM has shifted his country’s foreign policy since coming to power in 2023, immediately stopping state military aid to Kyiv. He also expressed opposition to sanctions against Moscow and criticized the war with Russia as having no military solution.
Fico’s visit follows others by EU allies, including Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. While these visits have been met with criticism from EU officials, Fico said he exchanged opinions on the situation in Ukraine and Slovak-Russian relations during his talks with Putin.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/russian-president-meets-slovak-pm-ukraine-gas-transit-contract-nears-expiry-2024-12-22