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Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico met with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a previously unannounced visit to Moscow. The two leaders discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine and critical energy issues, including the future of natural gas supplies to Slovakia.

The Kremlin confirmed the meeting, marking Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico as the second EU leader to visit Russia since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban was the first EU leader to travel to Moscow earlier this year for the first time since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Orban’s trip was widely condemned by other EU leaders.

The meeting between Fico and Putin was held behind closed doors. It is notable not only for its timing, amid escalating geopolitical tensions, but also for Fico’s increasingly vocal opposition to the European Union’s support for Kyiv.

Slovakia has recently become a focal point for debates over the European Union’s stance on the war and its reliance on Russian energy exports. Fico, who assumed office in 2023, has pivoted Slovakia’s foreign policy away from the West, distancing himself from EU sanctions on Russia and military aid to Ukraine.

Push for a peaceful resolution

Following the meeting, Prime Minister Fico took to social media to outline his discussions with President Putin. Fico stated that the two leaders spoke about “a peaceful end to the war” in Ukraine, reiterating his long-held belief that there is no military solution to the ongoing conflict.

This sentiment sharply contrasts with the broader position of the European Union, where leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, have called for continued military support to Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.

“There is no military solution to this war, and a peaceful end must be found,” Fico wrote on Facebook, emphasizing that dialogue, rather than escalation, should guide the future course of action. His stance has drawn significant criticism from both EU allies and domestic opposition, particularly given the EU’s firm alignment with Ukraine since the invasion.

Fico’s remarks are consistent with his previous criticism of Western involvement in the war and the EU’s unwavering backing of Kyiv. He has repeatedly argued that the EU’s policies have contributed to the prolongation of the conflict, which has resulted in immense suffering for the Ukrainian people and significant geopolitical instability in Europe.

Gas supply concerns

A key aspect of Fico’s trip to Moscow was the issue of natural gas supplies. Slovakia is heavily dependent on Russian gas, which still flows to the country through Ukraine under a five-year agreement that expires on December 31, 2024. The fate of this gas transit route has become increasingly uncertain, particularly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy raised concerns during a summit in Brussels, indicating that Ukraine would not renew the deal.

Fico stated that the Slovak government has been informed of Zelenskyy’s position, which, according to the prime minister, will have serious implications for Slovakia’s energy security. “Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed the readiness of the Russian Federation to continue supplying gas to the West and Slovakia, which is practically impossible after January 1, 2025, given the stance of the Ukrainian president,” Fico wrote.

In response to the uncertainty surrounding Russian gas supplies, Slovakia has already taken steps to diversify its energy sources. Last month, the country signed a short-term contract to import natural gas from Azerbaijan, and earlier this year, it secured a deal to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States via a pipeline from Poland. Additionally, Slovakia can access gas through Austria, Hungary, and the Czech Republic, as well as potentially from Germany.

Fico has been vocal about the negative consequences that the loss of Russian gas would have on Slovakia’s economy. He argues that the termination of the agreement will not only raise energy costs but also harm Slovakia’s energy security and industrial sector.

Shift in Slovakia’s foreign policy

Fico’s meeting with Putin and his opposition to EU policies come at a time of significant political realignment in Slovakia. After taking office in 2023, Fico halted military aid to Ukraine, signaling a shift in the country’s foreign policy toward a more neutral or pro-Russian stance. His decision to suspend arms shipments to Ukraine marked a departure from the previous Slovak government, which had supported Ukraine’s right to defend itself against Russia’s invasion.

The Slovak prime minister’s stance on Russia and Ukraine has caused a stir both at home and abroad. Many Slovak opposition politicians have condemned his visit to Moscow, calling it a “disgrace” and accusing Fico of undermining the country’s commitments to the EU and NATO. “This is a dangerous path that could alienate Slovakia from its European allies,” said opposition leader Eduard Heger, a former prime minister.

Fico’s critics argue that his meeting with Putin and his criticism of EU sanctions send the wrong message at a time when European unity is crucial in countering Russian aggression. Slovakia, while a small country in the heart of Europe, has played a significant role in the EU’s approach to the war in Ukraine, and its shift away from EU solidarity could have ripple effects within the bloc.

Fico’s visit to Moscow is the latest chapter in a tumultuous political career that has seen him oscillate between pro-European and pro-Russian positions. A former prime minister before returning to power in 2023, Fico’s policies have often been marked by pragmatism and a willingness to prioritize Slovakia’s national interests, sometimes at odds with EU directives.

As the war in Ukraine continues to reshape Europe’s political landscape, Fico’s visit to Putin underscores the growing divide within the EU over how to handle Russia and its role in the continent’s future. Whether his position will gain traction among Slovak voters or alienate the country from its Western partners remains to be seen, but the geopolitical ramifications of his actions are already being felt across the continent.

In the meantime, the people of Slovakia face the uncertain future of their gas supplies and their country’s place in a rapidly changing European order. As Fico’s meeting with Putin demonstrates, the path forward for Slovakia will be anything but straightforward.