Zelenskyy meets Slovak PM Fico in Uzhhorod: Substantive discussion
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Uzhhorod, Ukrinform reports.
The Slovak delegation included Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Denisa Saková and Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár, while Ukraine was represented by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko.
Fico and Zelenskyy made statements to journalists, but the briefing was not broadcast due to security concerns, according to Dennik N.
Zelenskyy said the meeting covered key issues “matters of principle for Ukraine and matters of principle for Slovakia.”
He briefed Fico on his recent call with U.S. President Donald Trump and outcomes from the “coalition of the willing” summit.
“Slovakia will not stand aside. The Prime Minister told me about his contacts in China. A separate and important topic was Europe’s energy independence — Russian oil, just as Russian gas, has no future,” Zelenskyy wrote.
He added that Slovakia supports Ukraine’s EU integration: “This is highly significant. We also share the view that Ukraine and Moldova must continue moving together toward EU membership. Equally important is that bilateral cooperation on economic, energy, and infrastructure matters here, in our region, strengthens our peoples and our countries.”
“Thank you for the meeting. It is important that we have this dialogue, and we will continue it,” Zelenskyy concluded.
Background
Slovakia supports Ukraine’s EU accession and votes for EU sanctions against Russia, but its current leadership faces criticism for pro-Russian leanings.
Fico has repeatedly prioritized Slovak interests over Ukraine’s, visiting Russia to meet Putin, attending Moscow’s May 9 military parade, and recently joining Putin at a military parade in China.
Slovakia and Hungary blocked an EU plan to ban Russian gas and oil imports, with Fico advocating for Slovakia to continue receiving Russian gas until 2034. Both countries also urged the EU to address Ukraine over strikes on the Druzhba pipeline.
Fico proposed a meeting with Zelenskyy in Slovakia in January 2025, emphasizing dialogue and “high solidarity” with Ukrainians, and offered Slovakia as a venue for peace talks.
Zelenskyy responded, “OK. Come to Kyiv on Friday [January 17].” The meeting did not occur.
In June, Fico claimed there was no point in meeting Zelenskyy, alleging the Ukrainian leader “hates” him.