Fico rejects gas import ban at meeting with Putin

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico reiterated his opposition to an EU-wide ban on Russian gas imports at a meeting with Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin. He described a similar proposal by the EU Commission in Moscow as "economically unsustainable and damaging for Europe," a spokesperson for the left-nationalist politician said. Slovakia is a member of both the EU and NATO.

Fico reportedly threatened to veto any unanimous decision in the EU to end Russian gas imports. If a qualified majority is sought, small states like Slovakia could be outvoted. The EU Commission wants to completely ban imports of Russian gas by the end of 2027.

At the meeting with Putin on Friday, Fico also advocated for Slovakia to continue purchasing nuclear fuel from Russia. This was "essential" for the "safe and stable operation" of Slovakia's nuclear power plants.

Fico as the only EU head of government at World War II commemoration in Moscow

Fico was the only EU head of government to travel to Moscow to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. According to Fico's spokesperson, the one-on-one meeting with Putin also addressed developments in the war in Ukraine. Fico reiterated that, in his view, there is no military solution to the conflict. He supports all peace initiatives, regardless of which country they originate. Slovakia and Ukraine, which has been attacked by Russia, share a nearly 100-kilometer-long border.

APA/dpa