Slovakia’s Robert Fico meets Vladimir Putin during a surprise visit to Moscow

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico made a surprise visit to Moscow for talks with Vladimir Putin – becoming the third Western leader to meet the Russian leader since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago.

Fico – who has been a vocal critic of the European Union’s support for Kiev in the war – said they discussed supplying Russian gas to Slovakia – on which his country depends.

An agreement with Russian gas giant Gazprom to transport energy through Ukraine to Slovakia will expire at the end of this year.

“Top EU officials were informed about my journey and its purpose… on Friday,” Fico wrote on Facebook.

Fico said the meeting in Moscow was a response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky telling EU leaders that Ukraine still opposes Russia sending gas through its territory.

Prime Minister of Slovakia, who survived a shooting earlier this yearHe also said he had a “long conversation” with Mr. Putin and the two “exchanged views on the military situation in Ukraine.”

Both discussed “the possibility of an early, peaceful end to the war” and the general relationship between Russia and Slovakia, Fico wrote on Facebook.

Slovakia and Hungary, both dependent on Russian gas, have raised concerns about possible supply disruptions.

In October 2023, when Fico becomes prime minister again, he ended Slovakia’s military aid to Ukraine.

However, he affirmed that he wants to become a “good, friendly neighbor” with Ukraine.

Fico’s meeting with Putin comes as the leaders of Italy, Sweden, Greece and Finland meet on Sunday for a security summit.

Speaking later, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said Russia is a “permanent and dangerous threat” to the EU.

He also emphasized the need to increase defense spending and support for Ukraine.