Robert Fico and Putin in Moscow meeting – Don’t support “new Iron Curtain” – Slovakia will veto EU energy sanctions on Russia

Published May 10, 2025 | By NewsJive.com

Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico is in Moscow to take part in the celebration of the victory over Nazi Germany on May 9, marking its 80th anniversary, and to meet with the Russian leadership in a bilateral meeting between the two countries to discuss solutions to various issues related to the war in Ukraine and the EU’s sanctions and confrontation with the Kremlin.

In the meeting with President Vladimir Putin and the Russian administration, Fico expressed a desire to avoid escalating the conflict between the EU and Russia, and stated that he is opposed to the EU’s new hardline sanctions policy against Russia, which entails sanctioning all energy imports from Russia, including oil and natural gas. Fico added that Slovakia will in such case veto any planned EU sanctions on Russian energy supplies to Europe to prevent further problems.

Fico added that Slovakia will in such case veto any planned EU sanctions on Russian energy supplies to Europe to prevent further problems.

Fico argues that several countries within the EU — including Slovakia — depend on importing gas and oil from Russia, and that such sanctions would pose major technical and economical problems for Europe if implemented, should the EU choose to go down that path, according to the Prime Minister.

Fico also said that he “does not support the idea of a new Iron Curtain,” adding that “we will do everything we can to shake hands through this curtain”.

The Slovak Prime Minister, previously labeled as “pro-Russian,” has faced strong opposition from war hawks within the EU who objected to his visit to Moscow. Fico himself notes that Kaja Kallas, Vice President of the European Commission, said he was “on the wrong side of history.”

Fico, however, says he does not understand the criticism from the EU head and insists that “we should be able to communicate with Russia.”

Fico also stated that “there are no military solutions” to the war in Ukraine and that he favors peaceful resolutions as soon as possible.

He told Putin that he looks forward to a good and respectful relationship between the two Slavic nations.

Slovakia is both directly and indirectly affected by the war, as a relatively large ethnic Slovak population resides in the western parts of present-day Ukraine.

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