Headline: Slovakia’s Premier Fico Criticized After Surprise Visit to Putin in Moscow
Subheading: Third EU leader to meet Russian president since Ukraine invasion; Fico’s trip seen as boosting Putin’s image amid gas crisis
In an unscheduled visit, Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico traveled to Moscow on Sunday to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, making him only the third European Union leader to do so since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The trip occurred just days before Ukraine planned to halt Russian gas transits via its territory on January 1, citing financial aid for the war in Ukraine.
Slovakia estimated that replacing Russian gas would cost an additional €220 million annually. Despite this, Fico announced after his meeting with Putin that Russia was ready to continue gas supplies to Slovakia and Europe, but that this would no longer be possible due to Ukraine’s stance.
Fico also criticized Ukraine’s proposal to impose sanctions on Russia’s nuclear program, arguing that it threatened electricity production at two Slovakian nuclear power plants. His visit was condemned by Slovakian opposition politicians and thousands of protesters who gathered in Bratislava’s Freedom Square to express their disapproval.
A protester, speaking to the media, expressed disgust at Fico’s meeting with "a man who is a murderer of innocent people." She questioned why the prime minister wasn’t focusing on pressing domestic issues like education and healthcare reform instead of developments abroad.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also criticized Fico’s meeting with Putin, accusing him of prioritizing financial interests over solidarity with Ukraine. Zelensky offered compensation for Slovakia’s gas supply losses and alternative transit options, but Fico reportedly declined.
Meanwhile, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky commented on Fico’s visit, stating that his country’s decision to forsake Russian energy resources had ensured they wouldn’t be "lining up in front of a mass murderer."
Fico’s unannounced trip to Moscow has reignited debate about Europe’s energy dependency on Russia and divisions among EU leaders regarding how to handle the conflict in Ukraine. Protests and political pressure continue to grow in Slovakia as the government grapples with the fallout from the prime minister’s visit.
