Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted an unexpected meeting with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico at the Kremlin on Sunday, December 22. The leaders discussed key issues, including the future of Russian gas supplies and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This meeting followed Putin’s warning of severe retaliation against Kyiv after a drone attack on Kazan.
Slovakia, a country heavily reliant on Russian gas, expressed growing concerns about the impending expiration of its gas transit contract, which allows supplies through Ukraine. This contract, set to expire on December 31, is unlikely to be renewed as Ukraine has stated its opposition to continuing the agreement.
The visit, unannounced prior to Sunday, underscores the high stakes for Slovakia, a NATO and European Union member. A brief video published by Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin showed Fico and Putin smiling and shaking hands, signaling cordial relations despite broader geopolitical tensions. However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov later confirmed that the meeting concluded without a joint statement.
In a Facebook post after the talks, Fico clarified that the meeting was prompted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s resistance to gas transit through Ukraine to Slovakia. According to Fico, Putin reiterated Russia’s willingness to continue supplying gas to Slovakia and Western nations, but he admitted such arrangements might become unfeasible after January 1, 2025.
Beyond energy, the two leaders exchanged views on the Ukraine conflict, emphasizing the “possibility of an early peaceful resolution.” Fico, however, accused Kyiv of prioritizing sanctions against Russia’s nuclear sector, which he argued harms Slovakia economically and threatens electricity production at its nuclear power plants. Since returning to office in October 2023, Fico has ended Slovakia’s military aid to Ukraine, further straining bilateral relations.
In November, Fico announced plans to travel to Moscow in May for the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. This reflects his administration’s pivot towards closer dialogue with Russia, a move at odds with Slovakia’s traditional Western alliances.
Tensions have also escalated over Ukraine’s demands for Slovakia to impose sanctions on Russia’s nuclear industry in exchange for maintaining gas transit. Ukraine contends that Slovakia earns approximately $500 million annually from its Russian gas trade. Additionally, Fico accused Zelensky last Thursday of offering him €500 million in Russian assets as an incentive to support Kyiv’s bid to join NATO.
