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Before meeting Zelensky, Fico has asked Putin for a message for European leaders

The Slovak has assured us that he does not understand some of the EU's decisions in the conflict in Ukraine and has been prepared to continue cooperation between Bratislava and Moscow.

BEIJING (China), 02/09/2025.- Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin pose for photos before a meeting at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China, 02 September 2025. (Rusia, Eslovaquia) EFE/EPA/ALEXANDER KAZAKOV / SPUTNIK / KREMLIN POOL MANDATORY CREDIT
Robert Fico and Vladimir Putin, China. Photo: EFE

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico on Tuesday asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to send a message to European leaders ahead of his meeting with Ukrainian leader Volodimir Zelenski on Friday.

"Can I convey your message to my colleagues (in the European Union)?" Fico told the Kremlin chief at a meeting in Beijing on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

The prime minister has been confident that after today's meeting European leaders will call him to ask him what Putin said to him. "They will call me and ask me," What did Putin say to you? "It would be nice to exchange views on this issue," Fico believes.

The Slovak said he did not understand some of the EU's decisions in the conflict in Ukraine and was prepared to continue cooperation between Bratislava and Moscow. "The European Union is unable to react to global movements," he said.

At the same time, he welcomed the recent summit of the leaders of Russia and the United States in Alaska.

With regard to the forthcoming meeting with Zelensky, the Slovak Prime Minister has assured us that he will speak in particular of the attacks by Ukrainian forces on the oil infrastructure.

On the other hand, Fico has also spoken to Putin about his country's plans to agree to Ukraine's accession to the European Union. "As far as EU membership is concerned, we are ready to cooperate with Ukraine," he said.

At the same time, he has stressed that Bratislava, as a member of NATO, is opposed to Ukraine joining that bloc.

On the other hand, the Russian leader has stated that Russia has never opposed Ukraine's accession to the European Union.

Putin has praised Slovakia's "independent policy" and hopes to increase trade between the parties despite EU restrictions on Russia.

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