Slovakia's Prime Minister, Robert Fico, made a surprise visit to Moscow for talks with Vladimir Putin – only the third Western leader to meet a Russian leader since the all-out invasion of Ukraine three years ago.
Fico – who strongly criticized the European Union's support for Kyiv in the war – said they discussed the supply of Russian gas to Slovakia – which his country relies on.
The agreement with Russian gas company Gazprom to transfer energy from Ukraine to Slovakia will expire at the end of this year.
“Senior EU officials were informed of my visit and its purpose… on Friday,” Fico wrote on Facebook.
Fico said the meeting in Moscow was a response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky telling EU leaders that Ukraine still opposes Russian gas being piped through its territory.
The Slovak Prime Minister, who survived the shooting earlier this year, also said he had a “long conversation” with Putin and the two “exchanged views on the military situation in Ukraine”.
The two discussed “the possibility of an early, peaceful end to the war” and relations between Russia and Slovakia, Fico wrote on Facebook.
Slovakia and Hungary, both dependent on Russian gas, have expressed concern about the possibility of supply disruptions.
In October 2023, when Fico became prime minister again, he ended Slovakia's military aid to Ukraine.
But, he emphasized that he wants to be a “good, friendly neighbor” to Ukraine.
Fico's meeting with Putin came as the leaders of Italy, Sweden, Greece and Finland met on Sunday for a security summit.
Speaking afterwards, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said Russia was a “permanent and dangerous threat” to the EU.
He also emphasized the need for increased defense spending and support for Ukraine.
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