Slovakia’s Robert Fico meets Vladimir Putin on surprise visit to Moscow

Slovakia and Hungary, which depend on Russian gas, have expressed concern about the possibility of supply disruptions.

In October 2023, when Fico became prime minister again, he ended Slovakia’s military aid to Ukraine.

But he has insisted that he wants to be a “good and friendly neighbor” to Ukraine.

Fico’s meeting with Putin came as the leaders of Italy, Sweden, Greece and Finland met on Sunday for a security summit.

Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo later said Russia was a “permanent and dangerous threat” to the EU.

He also highlighted the need to increase defense spending and support for Ukraine.