Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday sharply criticized Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico for his visit to Russia.
Zelensky accused Fico of having personal motives for the trip and of being dependent on Moscow. Fico has also been heavily criticized by the Czech Republic and Lithuania for the visit.
“Why is this leader so dependent on Moscow? What is being paid to him, and what does he pay with?” Zelensky wrote on X.
Fico described his visit to Russia as a response to Zelensky’s refusal to continue to transport Russian gas to Slovakia.
Slovakia continues to purchase Russian gas despite Moscow’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
Zelensky countered that while Fico himself benefits from the Russian gas discount, Slovakia does not.
“Such discounts are not free – payments to Russia are made through sovereignty or murky schemes. This should be a matter of concern for Slovakia’s law enforcement and special services.”
Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky also denounced Fico’s visit on X: “The Czech government has been working to achieve independence from Russian energy supplies so that we don’t have to grovel to a mass murderer.”
Meanwhile, several hundred people gathered in front of the government office in the Slovakian capital of Bratislava for a protest rally following the visit. The demonstrators waved the flags of Slovakia, Ukraine and the European Union.
The small liberal opposition party Freedom and Solidarity has said it is considering a motion of no confidence in parliament against Fico.
Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico (L) welcomed by Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of their meeting. -/Kremlin Press Office/dpa
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