EU state's PM says Putin meeting was in response to Zelensky's threats
Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico has revealed insights from his conversations with President Vladimir Putin during his unexpected trip to Moscow. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico has disclosed details from his recent discussions with President Vladimir Putin during an unexpected trip to Russia. Fico stated that this visit was intended to advance Bratislava’s “sovereign policies.”
After his meeting with Putin at the Kremlin on Sunday evening, Fico took to Facebook to share insights from their conversation, mentioning that EU leaders were briefed about his visit beforehand.
Fico remarked, “My meeting today was a response to Ukrainian President [Vladimir] Zelensky, who, answering my personal question on Thursday, said that he was against any transit of gas through Ukraine to our territory.” He added that Zelensky has been advocating for his EU allies to impose sanctions on the Russian nuclear energy sector.
He emphasized that such positions are detrimental to Slovakia's financial situation and pose risks to the operation of the country's nuclear power plants, stating, “Such attitudes financially harm Slovakia and threaten the operation of nuclear power plants in Slovakia, which is unacceptable.” Fico reiterated his responsibility to defend and advance Slovakia’s “sovereign politics on all four directions.”
The Kremlin’s brief summary of the meeting merely indicated that Putin hosted Fico for a “working visit,” and noted the presence of presidential aide Yury Ushakov during their discussions.
Fico has criticized Western support for Ukraine, and his administration has halted state military assistance to Kiev. He has consistently called on the EU to repeal sanctions against Russia, asserting that the bloc should engage in dialogue with Moscow following the conclusion of the conflict.
During their extended conversation, Fico remarked that they addressed “mutual relations” between Slovakia and Russia, which he plans to “standardize.” They also “exchanged views on the military situation in Ukraine” and looked into options for achieving “an early peaceful end” to the conflict.
Fico previously survived an assassination attempt in May, perpetrated by an activist opposed to his views on Ukraine. In October, he revealed that he faced a potential second attempt on his life due to his position regarding the Ukraine war.
Earlier this week, Fico accused Zelensky of trying to bribe him with €500 million to sway Bratislava's support for Kiev’s NATO membership ambitions. He noted that during their discussions, Zelensky refused to allow fuel transit and instead proposed “absurd” solutions for the gas issue.
Slovakia’s energy security is under threat due to Ukraine's decision not to renew its transit agreement with Moscow, which is set to expire on December 31. The primary route for natural gas to Slovakia is through the old Druzhba pipeline from the Soviet era.
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
After his meeting with Putin at the Kremlin on Sunday evening, Fico took to Facebook to share insights from their conversation, mentioning that EU leaders were briefed about his visit beforehand.
Fico remarked, “My meeting today was a response to Ukrainian President [Vladimir] Zelensky, who, answering my personal question on Thursday, said that he was against any transit of gas through Ukraine to our territory.” He added that Zelensky has been advocating for his EU allies to impose sanctions on the Russian nuclear energy sector.
He emphasized that such positions are detrimental to Slovakia's financial situation and pose risks to the operation of the country's nuclear power plants, stating, “Such attitudes financially harm Slovakia and threaten the operation of nuclear power plants in Slovakia, which is unacceptable.” Fico reiterated his responsibility to defend and advance Slovakia’s “sovereign politics on all four directions.”
The Kremlin’s brief summary of the meeting merely indicated that Putin hosted Fico for a “working visit,” and noted the presence of presidential aide Yury Ushakov during their discussions.
Fico has criticized Western support for Ukraine, and his administration has halted state military assistance to Kiev. He has consistently called on the EU to repeal sanctions against Russia, asserting that the bloc should engage in dialogue with Moscow following the conclusion of the conflict.
During their extended conversation, Fico remarked that they addressed “mutual relations” between Slovakia and Russia, which he plans to “standardize.” They also “exchanged views on the military situation in Ukraine” and looked into options for achieving “an early peaceful end” to the conflict.
Fico previously survived an assassination attempt in May, perpetrated by an activist opposed to his views on Ukraine. In October, he revealed that he faced a potential second attempt on his life due to his position regarding the Ukraine war.
Earlier this week, Fico accused Zelensky of trying to bribe him with €500 million to sway Bratislava's support for Kiev’s NATO membership ambitions. He noted that during their discussions, Zelensky refused to allow fuel transit and instead proposed “absurd” solutions for the gas issue.
Slovakia’s energy security is under threat due to Ukraine's decision not to renew its transit agreement with Moscow, which is set to expire on December 31. The primary route for natural gas to Slovakia is through the old Druzhba pipeline from the Soviet era.
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
