Headline: Smer’s Robert Fico visits Moscow amid Ukraine gas dispute
Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico was in Moscow on Sunday, December 22, for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin. The visit occurred as a gas transit agreement between Russia and Ukraine is set to expire at the end of the year.
Standfirst:
Robert Fico’s trip comes as Slovakia and Hungary continue to rely on Russian gas transiting through Ukraine. Fico’s meeting with Putin was not officially announced by the Kremlin but was confirmed days before by Serbian President Alexander Vucic. The meeting was brief, with each leader saying they intend to continue cooperation.
Body:
Robert Fico, leader of the left-wing populist Smer – SD party, has been a controversial figure in recent months, with critics accusing him of being pro-Russian. He has stated that the EU has become "a military machine of the United States in Ukraine" and likened the outgoing president of Slovakia, Zuzana Čaputová, to "an American agent." In November, he announced plans to attend the 9 May celebrations in Moscow next year.
Fico’s visit to Moscow drew criticism from opposition parties in Slovakia and neighboring countries. Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky expressed concern about the legality of the gas deal between Slovakia and Russia, saying it contradicts EU law. Czech MEP Danuše Nerudová accused Fico of treason, while the leader of the Opposition Progressives party, Michal Šimečka, described the visit as a "betrayal of the national interest."
Quote:
Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky noted that Fico’s visit, like those of other European leaders before him, did not yield any clear results. "No statements have been made by either Putin or Fico, but the issue of energy cooperation is still on the agenda," Zelensky said.
Punchline:
With the Ukrainian gas transit agreement set to expire, Slovakia and Hungary have been actively seeking alternative ways to secure their gas supplies. However, any deviation from EU sanctions against Russia would likely attract strong criticism from the EU.