Slovakia’s premier has faced backlash from various quarters in Europe and from his own constituents following his unexpected visit to Moscow for direct discussions with Vladimir Putin on Sunday.
Robert Fico has become only the third European Union leader to consult Mr. Putin in Moscow since the Russian president initiated the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
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The Kremlin indicated that the two leaders deliberated on “the global landscape” and the supply of Russian natural gas.
Natural gas from Russia continues to transit through Ukraine and certain other European nations, including Slovakia, under a five-year contract established prior to the conflict, which is set to conclude at the year’s end.
Vladimir Putin, right, and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico shake hands during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow. Pic: AP
Volodymyr Zelenskyy informed EU leaders last week that Ukraine had no plans to extend the agreement, which Mr. Fico contended would adversely affect Slovakia and its interests.
He asserted that his trip to Moscow was a response to Mr. Zelenskyy’s remarks and mentioned that Mr. Putin had communicated that Russia remained prepared to provide gas to Western nations.
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‘It smells like treason’
In the capital of Slovakia, Bratislava, citizens took to the streets to rally after the meeting, exhibiting banners supporting Ukraine alongside disapproving caricatures of Mr. Fico.
One placard succinctly stated: “It smells like treason.”
A protester holds a sign which translates as ‘it smells like treason’ during an anti-government demo in Slovakia, after the country’s Prime Minister Robert Fico met Russia’s Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Pic: Reuters
Demonstrators at the protest. Pic: Reuters
According to Mr. Zelenskyy, the “reluctance” exhibited by Mr. Fico to substitute Russian gas poses a “significant security concern” for Europe, thereby raising questions about the potential financial incentives extended to the Slovakian leader.
“Why does this leader rely so heavily on Moscow? What compensation is he receiving, and what does he reciprocate with?,” Mr. Zelenskyy questioned.
In his evening address on Monday, Mr. Zelenskyy mentioned that Mr. Fico had been presented with a compensation offer for the losses arising from the expiring transit agreement, yet he “showed no interest in compensation for the Slovak population”.
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‘Danger to all of Europe’
In an official communication, Ukraine’s foreign ministry asserted that the “fragility, dependence, and shortsightedness” characterizing Mr. Fico’s energy strategy poses a “risk to the entirety of Europe”.
The Slovak leader’s “continued endeavors” to sustain energy reliance on Moscow is “astonishing” and exemplifies a “disgraceful policy of appeasement,” the Ukrainian ministry further stated.
The Czech government also voiced its disapproval regarding Mr. Fico’s visit to Moscow, referencing its own decision to reduce dependency on Russian energy sources.
“It was the Czech government that achieved autonomy from Russian energy supplies to ensure we wouldn’t have to bow before a mass murderer,” remarked Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky.
