Russian President Vladimir Putin has revealed that Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico offered to host potential talks between Russia and Ukraine, sparking controversy over the proposal.
Putin Says Slovakia and Fico Willing to Broker Ukraine Talks
Vladimir Putin has stated that Slovakia’s prime minister, Robert Fico, offered to host potential talks between Russia and Ukraine during his recent visit to Moscow. The proposal comes as a halt to Russian gas deliveries via Ukraine beckons.
Slovakia’s Robert Fico became just the third leader of an EU member state to visit Moscow since the invasion of Ukraine. Image: Artyom Geodakyan/TASS/IMAGO
Russia Open to Slovakian Proposal
Putin said that Russia was open to a Slovakian proposal to host peace talks with Ukraine, with a view to ending the war that began in its current form with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Putin hosted Fico for unannounced talks on Sunday, during which Fico expressed his willingness to provide Slovakia as a platform for negotiations.
“We are not opposed, if it comes to that,” Putin said. “Why not? Since Slovakia takes such a neutral position.” Ukraine’s government did not immediately respond to the proposal.
Fico’s Surprise Trip to Moscow
Fico made the surprise trip to Moscow amid a dispute over gas deliveries to Slovakia via Ukraine. He had tried without success during last week’s European Union summit to convince Kyiv to reconsider its refusal to extend a gas delivery contract using pipelines in Ukrainian territory.
Not everyone in Slovakia approved of Fico’s trip, with protests taking place the following day in Bratislava. Image: Radovan Stoklasa/REUTERS
Zelenskyy Criticizes Fico
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized Fico’s visit, saying that he was preoccupied with economic issues while Ukrainians were fighting for their lives. Zelenskyy also alleged that Fico’s motives might not be in Slovakia’s interests.
“We are fighting for our lives, Fico is fighting for money, and it’s unlikely that money is for Slovakia,” Zelenskyy said. “Shadow agreements with Putin are either a trade of state interests or working for personal gain.”
Putin: No Time Left to Renew Gas Delivery Contracts
Putin said during Thursday’s televised address that there was no time left this year to extend the agreement that brings gas to Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Austria via Ukraine. He claimed that Kyiv was punishing Europe with the move.
“There is no contract and it is impossible to conclude it in 3-4 days,” Putin said.
...
