Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on May 9, 2026, to discuss bilateral relations and the conflict in Ukraine, becoming the only European Union leader to attend the Victory Day celebrations.
Key points
- Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov stated that Robert Fico did not deliver any specific message from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the meeting.
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed regret over Robert Fico's decision to visit Moscow while European leaders marked Europe Day.
- Vladimir Putin praised Robert Fico for his sovereign foreign policy and commitment to preserving historical truth regarding World War II.
- The meeting addressed energy cooperation, with Vladimir Putin pledging to support Slovakia's energy needs.
Why it matters
The visit highlights the diplomatic rift within the European Union regarding relations with Russia, as Robert Fico remains the only EU leader to engage directly with Vladimir Putin during the Victory Day events.
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