Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of an attempt to ensure continued access to Russian gas, Politico reported.
However, Fico’s decision to travel to Russia for trade talks triggered debate among European leaders, as it defied the EU’s public commitment to stop importing inexpensive Russian gas amid the war in Ukraine.
Fico revealed that he and Putin “exchanged views on the military situation in Ukraine, the possibility of an early peaceful end to the war, and mutual relations between the Slovak Republic and the Russian Federation.” The Slovak leader also signalled his intention to “standardise” relations with Russia.
He stated that the meeting “was a reaction to Ukrainian President [Volodymyr] Zelensky, who answered my personal question on Thursday that he is against any transit of gas through Ukraine to our territory.” Fico said Putin “confirmed Russia’s readiness to continue supplying gas to Slovakia,” although the outcome would also depend on Kyiv’s decision.
Earlier, Zelensky ruled out extending the agreement with Russian state-owned energy company Gazprom exporting natural gas to Slovakia, Hungary and other Central European countries via Ukraine.
Amid the impending contract expiry, Fico pledged “very intense” behind-the-scenes negotiations to avoid the deadline and provide the country with affordable Russian gas.
