Slovakia plans to revive cooperation forum with Russia after four-year freeze - Politico

The Russian-Slovak Intergovernmental Commission, which covers economic, scientific and technical cooperation, last met in November 2021.

According to a Russian government note obtained by Politico, Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár agreed during an August 20 video call to hold a meeting of the commission in Moscow.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said the meeting is scheduled for November 25. The Russian document, dated September 10, initially proposed October 26–27.

The proposed agenda includes Russian oil and gas supplies, nuclear fuel for Slovak power plants, and cooperation in culture, tourism, agriculture and environmental protection.

The document also says Blanár opposed restrictions on Russian athletes competing internationally and wanted the issue discussed at the meeting.

Politico said it could not independently verify the document, although it appeared consistent with an authentic Russian ministerial note.

Asked about the plans, Slovakia's Foreign Ministry referred Politico to Blanár's earlier statement that Bratislava maintains dialogue with countries interested in pragmatic cooperation serving Slovakia's national interests. Russia's Foreign Ministry did not respond to a request for comment.

Slovakia remains heavily dependent on Russian energy imports, and Fico has opposed EU efforts to phase them out, arguing that doing so would increase costs.

The planned meeting comes after Fico visited Moscow in May and met Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Politico noted that Moscow's efforts to deepen ties with Bratislava have gained significance since Viktor Orbán lost Hungary's April election, depriving the Kremlin of one of its closest partners within the EU.

Fico is also expected to attend this week's EU summit in Brussels, where leaders will discuss energy prices and support for Ukraine.