Slovak Prime Minister's Surprise Meeting with Putin: A Shift in Direction

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's unexpected trip to Moscow for discussions with Vladimir Putin has sparked significant attention, marking him as the third Western leader to engage with the Russian president since the onset of the Ukraine conflict three years ago.

Fico, a staunch opponent of the EU's military support for Ukraine, reiterated the importance of Russian gas supplies for his nation, prompting conversations about the expiring transit agreement with Gazprom. He disclosed on Facebook that senior EU officials were briefed about his visit just days prior. During the talks, Fico noted the significance of his discussions with Putin, particularly regarding military dynamics in Ukraine and the mutual benefits of promoting peace and stronger ties between Slovakia and Russia.

Concerns have been raised by Slovakia and Hungary about potential disruptions to their gas supplies. Following his return to office in October 2023, Fico halted military assistance to Ukraine while emphasizing his desire to maintain amicable relations with the Ukrainian government.

Amidst these developments, leaders from Italy, Sweden, Greece, and Finland convened to address security challenges, with Finland's Prime Minister calling Russia a perilous threat to the EU and advocating for bolstered defense expenditure and ongoing support for Ukraine.