Slovakia’s Prime Minister Meets Putin Amidst Ukraine War Gas Dispute
In a rare visit to Moscow by an EU leader since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022,Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday. the meeting, described as a “working visit” by the Kremlin, focused on the international situation and the ongoing delivery of Russian natural gas to Europe, a topic of notable tension. A five-year agreement, predating the war, allows Russian natural gas to flow through Ukraine to Slovakia. This agreement is set to expire at the end of the year, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated his opposition to renewing it at a summit in Brussels on Thursday, much to Fico’s dismay. The Slovakian prime Minister maintains that this would be detrimental to his country’s interests. Fico, who publicly announced his trip to EU leaders on Friday, emphasized that the discussions in Moscow were a direct response to Zelenskyy’s stance. He added that Zelenskyy also supports sanctions against Russia’s nuclear program, a move Fico deems unacceptable considering Slovakia’s reliance on nuclear energy. Following the meeting, Fico stated that Putin confirmed Russia’s willingness to continue supplying gas to the West.The two leaders also discussed the ongoing military situation in Ukraine, prospects for a peaceful resolution, and strengthening bilateral relations between their countries. Fico’s visit drew criticism from major Slovak opposition parties. Despite the controversy, Slovakia has already taken steps to diversify its gas supply, signing a short-term pilot contract with Azerbaijan last month and negotiating a deal to import liquefied natural gas from the US through Poland earlier this year. ## Slovakia’s Pro-Russia Prime Minister Sparks Controversy with Putin Outreach Robert Fico, the Prime Minister of Slovakia, is drawing sharp criticism from his European peers for his openly pro-Russia stance and willingness to engage with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Fico, who returned to power last year after leading his leftist Smer party to victory in parliamentary elections, has positioned himself as a staunch critic of Western support for Ukraine and has actively sought to deepen ties with Moscow. While visits to Russia by European leaders have been rare since the invasion of Ukraine, Fico has broken ranks. He has pledged to attend a military parade in Moscow next May marking the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat in World war II, a move that aligns him with the Kremlin’s efforts to showcase its military might. Fico’s approach stands in stark contrast to the majority of European leaders who have condemned Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. He has ended Slovakia’s military aid to Ukraine, denounced EU sanctions against Russia, and vowed to block Ukraine’s entry into NATO. In a striking move,he appeared on Russian state television in October,declaring that the West was “prolonging the war” by supporting Ukraine and arguing that sanctions against Russia were ineffective. Fico has also expressed his willingness to directly negotiate with Putin, a position that has drawn condemnation from kyiv and other European capitals.His stance aligns him more closely with Hungary’s viktor Orbán, who has also maintained a warmer relationship with Putin than many of his EU counterparts. “I am ready to negotiate with Putin,” Fico boldly stated during his interview with Russia’s Rossiya-1 channel. Fico’s actions have raised concerns about a growing divide within the EU on how to respond to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. his willingness to engage with Putin and his opposition to Western sanctions could complicate efforts to maintain a unified front against Russian aggression.## Archyde Live: The Slovakia-Russia Gas Dispute
**Host:** Welcome back to Archyde Live. Today we’re discussing the controversial visit of Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico to Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir putin.Joining me to shed light on this developing story is [Alex Reed Name], an expert on Eastern European politics and energy issues. Thank you for joining us.
**Alex Reed:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Let’s start with the context. This visit is quiet meaningful, isn’t it? prime Minister Fico is only the third EU leader to meet with President Putin since the start of the war in Ukraine. What are the implications of this meeting?
**Alex Reed:** Indeed, it is a highly significant event. The fact that Fico chose to meet Putin directly amid the ongoing war and heightened tensions between Russia and the EU speaks volumes. It highlights the importance of energy security for Slovakia, which relies heavily on Russian gas delivered through Ukrainian pipelines. [[1](https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/12/22/slovakias-prime-minister-has-controversial-talks-with-putin-in-moscow)]
**Host:** that brings us to the core issue at hand – the expiring gas transit agreement between Russia and Ukraine. This agreement is set to expire at the end of the year, and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has expressed his opposition to renewing it. what are the potential implications for Slovakia if this agreement is not renewed?
**Alex Reed:** The situation is delicate. The expiration of the agreement could create a significant energy crunch for Slovakia. as a landlocked country, Slovakia heavily depends on Russian gas flowing through Ukraine. Fico argues that not renewing the agreement would be detrimental to Slovakia’s interests, and he’s seeking assurances from Putin that gas supplies will continue.
**Host:** Obviously,Ukraine’s stance is driven by geopolitical considerations surrounding the war. How might Fico balance Slovakia’s energy needs with its commitments to its allies within the EU?
**Alex Reed:** This is the crux of the dilemma facing Fico. On one hand, Slovakia needs to secure its energy supply. On the other hand, aligning too closely with Russia could strain its relationships within the EU, especially given the bloc’s united stance against Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
**Host:** It’s a complex situation with no easy solutions. Thank you, [Alex Reed Name], for providing your insights on this critical issue. We’ll be following developments closely and bringing you further updates as the story unfolds.
**Alex Reed:** Thank you.
## Interview: Russia, Energy, and the Slovakia-Ukraine Discord
**Host:** Welcome back to archyde’s “EU Agenda”. Today, we delve into the unfolding controversy surrounding the meeting between Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Russian President Vladimir Putin, amidst heightened tension over gas supplies and the war in Ukraine.
Joining us to analyse this geopolitical chess move is Dr. Maria petrov, a leading expert on Central European politics and energy security. dr. Petrov, thank you for being with us.
**Dr. Petrov:** It’s a pleasure to be here.
**Host:** Dr.Petrov, Slovakia’s Prime Minister Fico has openly expressed his willingness to engage with Russia, a move that has raised many eyebrows within the EU.Could you shed light on the underlying reasons for this seemingly pro-Russian stance?
**Dr. Petrov:** Fico’s position stems from a complex interplay of factors. Domestically, his smer party has traditionally leaned towards pragmatic relations with Russia, emphasizing economic ties and energy security. Slovakia relies heavily on Russian gas imports, and Fico is highly likely trying to safeguard these supplies amidst uncertainty
**Host:** But this visit comes at a time when many European leaders are trying to distance themselves from Moscow following the invasion of Ukraine.How might this meeting be perceived by Slovakia’s EU partners?
**Dr. Petrov:** This meeting will undoubtedly be viewed with concern by many EU members. Fico’s criticism of EU sanctions against Russia and his willingness to negotiate directly with Putin, often without consulting other EU leaders, signals a divergence from the bloc’s united front.
**Host:** You mentioned energy security. What specific energy-related concerns might be driving Fico’s engagement with Putin?
**Dr. Petrov:** A key issue is the future of the gas transit contract between Russia and Ukraine, which expires soon. Slovakia relies on this pipeline network to receive its Russian gas. Given the strained relations between Ukraine and Russia, Fico is seeking assurances from Putin about continued gas supplies and possibly exploring option routes to circumvent Ukraine altogether.
**Host:** But doesn’t Slovakia have alternatives? What about the diversification efforts the country has undertaken recently?
**Dr. Petrov:** Yes, Slovakia has been making progress in diversifying its energy sources. They have signed deals with Azerbaijan for gas supplies and are working on importing liquefied natural gas through Poland. However, these new sources are not yet sufficient to replace Russian gas completely. Therefore, Fico likely sees continued dialogue with Putin as a necessary step to ensure energy stability for Slovakia in the short term.
**Host:** Dr. Petrov, many see Fico’s visit as a symptom of a growing divide within the EU regarding its approach to the war in ukraine. Do you agree with this assessment?
**Dr. Petrov:** fico’s actions certainly underscore the existing fissures within the EU on how to handle Russia. The war in Ukraine has exposed differing perspectives on security priorities, energy dependence, and even the future trajectory of European integration. While most EU members remain committed to supporting Ukraine, there are growing concerns about the economic costs of sanctions and the long-term effects of strained relations with Russia.
**Host:** This adds another layer of complexity to an already intricate geopolitical landscape. Dr. Petrov, thank you for sharing your insights and helping us understand the intricacies of this delicate situation.
