Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin has assured Slovakia of Moscow's commitment to help meet its energy needs during a meeting with Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico at the Kremlin. Putin emphasized that Russia is prepared to do everything necessary to support Slovakia, acknowledging the longstanding political dialogue and cooperation between the two nations.
According to Anadolu Agency, the relationship between Russia and Slovakia has been challenged by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the EU and NATO's policies, both of which Slovakia is a part. Despite these complications, Putin praised Slovakia's government for pursuing a sovereign foreign policy and expressed optimism about the gradual restoration of bilateral cooperation. This cooperation had been effectively frozen by previous Slovak authorities, but Fico's assumption of office in October 2023 marks a turning point.
Putin noted a decline in bilateral trade over the past two years but expressed hope that Fico's visit could pave the way for restoring and expanding economic ties. He also expressed gratitude to Fico for attending the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, highlighting Fico's recognition of the Soviet army's role in liberating Europe during World War II. The Soviet Union incurred the highest military losses in the war, with millions of soldiers and civilians perishing.
Fico, in turn, expressed his desire to address "serious issues" between Slovakia and Russia, referencing the re-emergence of an "iron curtain" reminiscent of the Cold War era. He advocated for mutually beneficial and friendly relations and stressed the importance of expanding cooperation beyond energy resources.
Earlier, Moscow hosted its annual military parade to commemorate the Soviet victory in World War II, attended by leaders from Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. Following the meeting, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov revealed that the Ukraine conflict was among the topics discussed. Ushakov also mentioned that Fico briefed Putin on his recent meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, denying any messages were conveyed to Putin through Fico.
Additionally, Alexey Likhachev, head of Russia's state atomic energy corporation Rosatom, conveyed the company's readiness to participate in various projects related to nuclear power plant construction in Slovakia.