The news about the meeting between the Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico and the President of Russia Vladimir Putin was published in the evening of December 22 by the Russian media. The broadcast footage showed the leaders of the two countries shaking hands. This meeting caused quite a stir in Ukraine, the countries of the European Union and directly in Slovakia. As you know, since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, European politicians have been trying to avoid meetings with Putin. Exceptions during this time were made by Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán, Chancellor of Austria Karl Nehammer and President of Serbia Oleksandr Vucic. Now Robert Fico joined this list, which raised questions about the political orientation of Slovakia in the conditions of the war in Ukraine and the international isolation of Russia.
The visit of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to Moscow took place against the background of important energy changes: from the beginning of next year, Ukraine will stop the transit of Russian gas through its territory, which puts Slovakia in a difficult energy situation. Nevertheless, Fico’s visit to Putin caused considerable concern both inside the country and abroad, as it called into question Slovakia’s orientation towards European solidarity.
A slap in the face of Slovak diplomacy
Although Fico said after the meeting that he was traveling to normalize Slovakia’s relations with Russia amid the inevitable gas collapse in the country, his visit did not gain the support of political forces within the country. If the Minister of Ecology, Tomáš Taraba, spoke positively about the trip, the deputy of the “Glass” party, Samuel Mihal, called it a “slap” for Slovak diplomacy.
Other opposition forces also reacted sharply. The leader of the largest opposition party, Michal Shimechka, statedthat “the prime minister was supposed to conduct negotiations in Kyiv regarding gas transit for Slovakia“. According to him, Fico’s visit to Putin looks like a “theatre of deception”, and the prime minister thus betrays his country, taking it further and further away from Europe.
Branislav Groeling, leader of the smaller liberal opposition party “Freedom and Solidarity”, expressed himself even more sharply: “Robert Fico is a shame for Slovakia. He does not behave like the head of the government of a sovereign country, but like an ordinary collaborator“. Gröling emphasized that Fico has no right to speak on behalf of the entire Slovak people.
Vuchich was on topic
The intensive discussion of Robert Fico’s trip to Moscow began after the statements of the President of Serbia, Oleksandr Vučić, with whom the Prime Minister of Slovakia has common views on a number of international political issues, in particular, the issue of migration. Information was received from Belgrade over the weekend that Fico plans to discuss with Putin the possible refusal of Ukraine to transit gas to Europe from the beginning of the new year.
«If we talk unofficially, and when I say “unofficially”, it’s for sure – on Monday Fico will go to Putin as the leader of an EU country. And you yourself understand what kind of reaction it will cause among other European leaders», – said Vuchich Neither the Slovak government nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs could confirm or deny Fico’s New Year’s trip. The ministry only cautiously replied that to obtain information about the prime minister’s work schedule, one should contact the government directly.
Slovak edition “True» also tried to find out whether Fitso had left for Moscow already on Sunday afternoon. According to the information provided, all four government planes – two Airbus and two Fokker – were at M. International Airport. R. Stefanika in Bratislava.
Informed, but disagree
And although from the outside this trip had all the signs of mystery, Fizo denied the intention to go unnoticed in his visit to Moscow. For example, his government from the very beginning of its work declared that it wanted to conduct an autonomous foreign policy aimed at all parts of the world, so this trip was part of the stated strategy.
After the meeting with Putin, Fico said that the high-ranking officials of the European Union were informed about his trip and its purpose as early as Friday. EU sources said EU Council President Antonio Costa was informed of Fico’s trip to Moscow on Sunday evening. However, it remains unclear whether he gave his consent. Fitso explained that his visit was a reaction to the words of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi, who, in response to his personal question, spoke against the transit of gas through Ukraine to Europe, in particular to Slovakia. This became the main topic of discussion during the meeting with the Russian leader.
We will remind that at the last EU summit, the Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, and the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyi, had a conversation, during which Zelenskyi drew attention to the important difference in the situations of the two countries. He emphasized that while Slovakia is facing economic problems, Ukraine is losing human lives every day due to the war.
Is Slovakia really facing a gas crisis?
Slovak independent media publication Denník N indicates on the contradiction between Fico’s statements about the “inevitable gas crisis” and the words of the Minister of Economy of Slovakia, Denisa Sakova, who says that there is enough gas for the next year. “Slovakia is ready for the 2024-2025 season, which covers the winter season for heating and consumption in 2025“, she said statement can be heard on the official resource of the European Union Audiovisual Service.
Before his visit to Moscow, Prime Minister Robert Fitso repeatedly emphasized that his main concern is the future of transit of Russian gas through the territory of Ukraine. However, Ukraine’s position on this issue is clear: Kyiv does not intend to continue the gas transit agreement after its conclusion. In this regard, it would seem more logical if Fico went to Kyiv to discuss this directly with Ukrainian officials. Slovak media write about it, evaluating the prime minister’s intentions and actions.
Despite the lively interest in this visit from the public and the establishment, no specific results of the negotiations with the Kremlin were made public. Both the Russian side and the Slovak prime minister refrained from disclosing the details of the discussions. Fitzo’s only reaction was a short message on his social networks, which only confirmed what was already clear.
«Vladimir Putin expressed the readiness of the Russian Federation to continue supplying gas to Western Europe and Slovakia. However, the implementation of this in practice is almost impossible due to the clear position of the Ukrainian leadership after the conclusion of the agreement on January 1, 2025“, Fizo wrote in Telegram and Facebook.
The President of Slovakia demands an explanation from Fico
The visit to Moscow caused a significant response in Slovakia. President Peter Pellegrini has already announced the need for public explanations from the Prime Minister. He expressed concern, noting that such actions could have negative consequences for Slovakia’s international image. On the official websites Pellegrini reminded the President of Slovakia that on September 1, 2024, together with Prime Minister Robert Fico and Chairman of the National Council Petr Žiga, they signed the declaration of the three highest public officials of the Slovak Republic. The first paragraph of this document states the obligation “to maintain our undisputed membership in the European Union and NATO.” “I hope that this declaration remains in full force and that all three signatories will continue to uphold it in word and deedPellegrini wrote.
The President also expects detailed information from the Prime Minister about the results of his negotiations with the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin. According to Pellegrini, the prime minister is obliged to protect Slovak national interests, including the supply of oil and gas through the territory of Ukraine, as well as the supply of nuclear fuel. At the same time, the head of state emphasized that negotiations with the Russian president during Russia’s war against Ukraine, which violates international law, have a significant foreign policy dimension. This is especially relevant in view of Slovakia’s membership in the EU and NATO. “Therefore, I firmly believe that the visit to Moscow was not only a politically advantageous move that could seriously harm Slovakia in the eyes of our allies in the EU and NATOPellegrini added.
What is known from Kremlin sources?
Citing its sources, the publication Denník N also provides and brief information about the course of the visit. It is, in particular, about the fact that Fico and Putin agreed on the need to restore traditional relations between Slovakia and Russia, particularly in the trade and economic sphere. This was announced by Putin’s advisor Yuriy Ushakov. The talks lasted about two hours and included a “serious discussion” on energy issues and the situation in Ukraine, as well as possible ways to end the war. Ushakov also said that several countries offered their platforms for talks between Putin and the newly elected US President Donald Trump, but refused to reveal the details.
Therefore, Robert Fico’s visit to Moscow, despite his declaration of concern for energy security, caused significant criticism both within Slovakia and among international partners. This event calls into question the country’s orientation towards European solidarity, given the war in Ukraine and Russia’s isolation. The lack of concrete results of the negotiations only increases suspicions about the real motives of the prime minister, highlighting the difficulties in balancing national interests with Slovakia’s foreign policy commitments.
