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Slovak PM Fico's Rare Moscow Visit to Meet Putin Sparks Zelensky's Accusations

Dec 23, 2024, 12:39 PM

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Sunday, making him only the third European Union leader to visit Russia since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The unannounced meeting was described by Fico as a direct response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's opposition to the continuation of Russian gas transit through Ukraine. With the current gas transit contract nearing expiration, Fico sought assurances from Putin on continued gas supplies to Slovakia. Following the meeting, Fico stated that Putin confirmed Russia's readiness to continue supplying gas to Europe, including Slovakia. However, Zelensky accused Fico of wanting to help Putin "earn money to finance the war" against Ukraine and questioned the Slovak leader's dependence on Moscow, calling his actions a "big security issue" for Europe. "Why is this leader so dependent on Moscow? What is being paid to him, and what does he pay with?" Zelensky said. He also called on Slovak intelligence to investigate Fico's ties with the Kremlin. The visit sparked protests in Bratislava, where hundreds gathered outside the government building holding signs reading "Stop Russia" and calling Fico a "traitor." Critics argue that Fico's meeting with Putin undermines European efforts toward energy independence from Russia and strengthens Russian influence in Slovakia. The Czech government also criticized the visit, emphasizing the importance of reducing dependency on Russian energy supplies. Fico expressed his intention to normalize Slovakia's relations with Russia.