A major deal which allows Slovakia to import Russian fossil fuels through Ukraine is set to end next year and the meeting between Fico and Putin is seen as an attempt to seek some form of continuation of access to the resource.
Following the meeting, Zelensky wrote: “Fico’s key goal is to deal with Russia, and this is what benefits him. This is indeed a big security issue — both for Slovakia and the entire Europe. Why is this leader so dependent on Moscow? What is being paid to him, and what does he pay with?
“Moscow provides significant discounts to Fico, but Slovakia pays for them. Such discounts are not free—payments to Russia are made through sovereignty or murky schemes.”
Zelensky went on to accuse the Slovakian leader of failing to participate in measures to wean European states off of Russian energy.
He added: “Leaders observed that Mr. Fico does not want to participate in the common European work on energy independence or seek replacement for Russian gas, but rather wants to assist Russia in pushing American gas and energy resources of other partners away from Europe, implying that he wants to help Putin earn money to fund the war and weaken Europe.”
Following the meeting, Fico and Putin both expressed a desire to continue the trading relationship but such an agreement will rely on the government in Kyiv giving it the go-ahead.
Today, hundreds of people gathered outside Slovakia’s government office in Bratislava to protest the trip to Moscow.
European leaders have shared the anger of the Bratislava protesters with some calling the move “a betrayal.”
Lithuania president Gitanas Nausėda said: “How cheap is your love? There are those who come to Russia with love and feel gassed to meet a war criminal.
“This is not Lithuania’s way. We choose energy independence and real market prices – with no political strings attached!
Slovakia’s opposition leader Michal Šimečka said in an interview with Brussels Playbook on Sunday night that he considers the visit “to be undermining Slovak interests and a betrayal of our partners.”
He said: “Instead of negotiating with Ukraine and the European Commission, he’s created a political conflict, which is the worst of all possible outcomes.