Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico Meets Vladimir Putin in Moscow

Fico's unannounced visit marks the first by a Slovak leader to Russia since the Ukraine invasion, highlighting his controversial stance on EU and NATO policies.

• Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico held a private meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin during an unannounced visit.
• The discussions reportedly focused on energy issues, particularly Russian gas supplies, as the current transit agreement through Ukraine is set to expire at the end of December.
• Fico, often criticized for his pro-Russian stance, has called for EU-mediated peace talks instead of continued military aid to Ukraine.
• This visit is the first by a Slovak official to Russia since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, signaling a departure from Slovakia's previously strong pro-Ukraine position.
• Fico plans to return to Moscow in May 2025 to attend World War II commemorations, further underscoring his intent to maintain ties with Russia.

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