Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s recent surprise visit to Moscow for discussions with Vladimir Putin has stirred significant controversy. This makes him only the third Western leader to engage with the Russian president since the onset of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago.
During their talks, Fico, who has been a vocal opponent of the European Union’s backing for Ukraine, focused on Slovakia’s reliance on Russian gas. With a critical contract with Gazprom set to expire at the year’s end, the negotiations are pivotal for Slovakia’s energy future.
Fico disclosed that he had informed high-ranking EU officials about his visit and intentions. However, the meeting has faced strong backlash from opposition parties within Slovakia and its EU and NATO ally, the Czech Republic. Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky emphasized that his government has achieved energy independence from Russia, expressing solidarity with Ukrainians affected by the ongoing conflict.
In Bratislava, opposition figure Michal Simecka criticized Fico’s Moscow trip as a betrayal of national interests, accusing him of facilitating Russian propaganda. Fico framed his visit as a response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s comments opposing Russian gas transit through Ukraine.
In addition to discussions on gas supplies, Fico claimed he had a “long conversation” with Putin about the military situation in Ukraine and explored possibilities for a peaceful resolution to the conflict and future relations between Slovakia and Russia. This visit comes on the heels of Slovakia and Hungary expressing worries about potential gas supply interruptions.
Since resuming the premiership in October 2023, Fico had previously halted military aid to Ukraine, yet he maintains his desire to foster amicable relations with Kyiv. His engagement with Putin also coincided with a security summit attended by leaders from Italy, Sweden, Greece, and Finland, where it was asserted that Russia poses a persistent threat to EU security and the urgent need for enhanced defense funding and support for Ukraine.
