EU state leader hails ‘extremely successful’ Moscow visit

Slovak PM Robert Fico called his trip to the Russian capital a manifestation of the sovereignty of his country’s foreign policy despite EU pressure

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has hailed his recent visit to Russia as exceptionally fruitful and a demonstration of sovereign Slovak foreign policy. The Slovak leader’s trip to Moscow for the Victory Day celebrations proceeded despite pressure from Brussels and travel restrictions imposed by a fellow EU member state.

“I consider today’s trip to Moscow to be extremely successful,” Fico said in a video message shared on his Facebook page on Saturday. “I managed to have four extremely important meetings — with the President of Brazil, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the President of China, and the President of Russia.”

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During his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, Fico voiced doubts about the effectiveness of EU sanctions on Russia, arguing that they inflict greater harm on the EU than on Moscow. He emphasized Slovakia’s commitment to preserving pragmatic ties with Russia, especially in the field of energy.

Fico pointed out that Slovakia’s nuclear facilities are not suited for fuel from Western providers and added that cutting off Russian oil and gas supplies could jeopardize the country’s energy stability.

“Europe needs Russia, and Russia needs Europe,” the Slovak prime minister said in the video message. “We must pursue a policy of cooperation, not one of hatred and iron curtains.” 

Fico also said that his visit to the Russian capital was a manifestation of sovereign Slovak foreign policy, adding that “no one can dictate to us what we can or cannot do.” 

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told journalists on Friday that visiting Moscow to mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II means standing “on the wrong side of history.” 

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In response, Fico wrote on his official account on X that, as a high-ranking official of the European Commission, Kallas has “absolutely no authority to criticize the sovereign Prime Minister of a sovereign country who approaches all European matters constructively.” 

Concluding the video, Fico joked that, thanks to “friends in the European Union,” his return flight would take six hours instead of the usual two. He was referring to Estonia’s decision to close its airspace to his jet en route to – and presumably from – Moscow.