Slovak Prime Minister's Kremlin Visit Stirs Domestic and International Criticism

Robert Fico's unannounced meeting with Vladimir Putin raises concerns over Slovakia's alignment with EU and NATO policies.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, marking the first such visit by a Slovak official since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
The meeting centered on Slovakia's reliance on Russian gas, as Ukraine plans to end the transit of Russian gas through its territory by year-end, potentially causing an energy crisis in Slovakia.
Fico faced backlash from Slovak opposition leaders, who accused him of undermining the nation's pro-European stance and pandering to his voter base with the visit.
The visit comes as Slovakia, despite supporting EU sanctions and Ukraine aid, grapples with Fico's repeated criticism of EU and NATO policies on Ukraine.
Fico defended his actions, stating he informed EU leaders of his plans and discussed broader issues, including the war in Ukraine and potential peace efforts, with Putin.