Overview

• Robert Fico's meeting with Vladimir Putin marks the first visit by a Slovak leader to Moscow since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
• The talks centered on securing Russian gas supplies to Slovakia after Ukraine announced it would halt gas transit through its territory by year-end.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the visit, accusing Fico of aiding Russia's war efforts and undermining European unity.
• Slovak opposition leaders labeled Fico's actions as a betrayal, criticizing him for not addressing the gas issue with Ukraine instead.
• Fico defended the visit as necessary for Slovakia's energy security and claimed he informed EU officials beforehand, though no official outcomes were announced.