On December 23, 2024, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, reportedly discussing future gas supplies to Slovakia. This surprise visit has triggered significant backlash within Slovakia, a NATO and EU member since 2004.
Critics accuse Fico of betraying his country by visiting the Kremlin, marking the first official visit by a Slovak representative since Russia's invasion of Ukraine nearly three years ago. The discussions were said to be a response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's opposition to gas transit through Ukraine to Slovakia.
Prior to the meeting, Fico attempted to avert the end of Russian gas transit to Slovakia during an EU summit in Brussels. He warned of a severe crisis for Slovakia, which heavily relies on Russian gas and lacks alternatives. Although the EU granted Slovakia permission to continue importing Russian gas, this is rendered ineffective as Ukraine plans to halt gas transit starting January 1.
The EU summit saw a heated exchange between Fico and Zelenskyy, with Zelenskyy highlighting the stark contrast between Slovakia's economic issues and the daily fatalities in Ukraine. While Slovakia has supported all EU aid to Ukraine and sanctions against Russia, Fico's public criticism of EU and NATO policies towards Ukraine has drawn attention.
Opposition leaders in Slovakia expressed outrage over Fico's Kremlin visit. Michal Simecka, head of the largest opposition party, stated that discussions regarding gas transit should occur in Kyiv. Branislav Gröhling, leader of the liberal opposition party SaS, labeled Fico a disgrace, asserting he does not represent the Slovak nation.
Visits by European leaders to Moscow have become rare since the onset of the war. Previous visits, such as that of Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer shortly after the invasion, faced severe criticism, while Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's meeting with Putin earlier this year was met with less surprise due to his known ties with Moscow.