Slovakia’s Robert Fico has shared some particulars of his discussions with President Vladimir Putin
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico held a gathering with President Vladimir Putin throughout his shock go to to Russia, stating that he went to Moscow to additional promote Bratislava’s “sovereign insurance policies.”
After assembly Putin on the Kremlin on Sunday night, Fico posted a touch upon Fb, offering perception into their dialogue and noting that EU leaders had been knowledgeable of the aim of his journey upfront.
“My assembly at present was a response to Ukrainian President Zelensky, who, answering my private query on Thursday, stated that he was in opposition to any transit of fuel by way of Ukraine to our territory,” Fico defined, including that the Ukrainian chief has additionally been lobbying his EU supporters to impose sanctions in opposition to the Russian nuclear power sector.
“Such attitudes financially hurt Slovakia and threaten the operation of nuclear energy vegetation in Slovakia, which is unacceptable,” Fico added, including it was his obligation to guard and promote Slovakia’s “sovereign politics on all 4 instructions.”
In its transient readout of the assembly, the Kremlin said solely that Putin hosted Fico for a “working go to” and that presidential aide Yury Ushakov was additionally current throughout their talks.
Fico has been one of many EU leaders most important of Western assist for Ukraine, together with his authorities reducing off state army help to Kiev. He has repeatedly urged the EU to carry sanctions in opposition to Russia, insisting that the bloc should resume dialogue with Moscow as soon as the battle is over.
Fico said he had a “lengthy dialog” with Putin, throughout which they mentioned “mutual relations” between Slovakia and Russia, which he intends to “standardize.” In addition they “exchanged views on the army scenario in Ukraine” and explored potentialities for reaching “an early peaceable finish” to the battle.
Fico survived an assassination try in Could by an activist against the PM’s views on relations with Kiev, and in October, he revealed that he confronted a possible second try on his life because of his stance on the Ukraine battle.
Earlier this week, Fico accused Zelensky of trying to bribe him with €500 million to be able to persuade Bratislava to assist Kiev’s bid to hitch NATO. He recalled that in their talks, the Ukrainian chief declined to permit the transit of gasoline and as an alternative provided “absurd” proposals to resolve the fuel problem.
Slovakia’s power safety has been jeopardized by Ukraine’s intention to not lengthen a transit settlement with Moscow, which expires on December 31. Pure fuel to Slovakia is especially delivered by way of the Soviet-era Druzhba (“Friendship”) pipeline.
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