Slovakia's Prime Minister, Robert Fico, visited Moscow: Slovakia Breaks EU Unity with Kremlin Visit

Amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, Europe had united against Russian President Vladimir Putin, with the European Union (EU) passing several resolutions and the United States imposing stringent sanctions on Russia. Now, nearly three years into the war, a significant shift has emerged as Slovakia's Prime Minister, Robert Fico, visited Moscow, marking the first visit by an EU leader to the Kremlin since the war began.

This development raises questions about Slovakia’s motives, especially given its previous alignment with Ukraine. The underlying factor driving this move appears to be the critical issue of energy security, particularly oil and natural gas.

Prime Minister Fico met with President Putin at the Kremlin on Sunday evening. According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, their discussions centered on international issues and the continued supply of Russian natural gas to Slovakia.

Currently, Russian natural gas is supplied to Slovakia and other European countries through Ukraine under a five-year agreement that is set to expire at the end of this year. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has shown little interest in extending this agreement, viewing it as an opportunity to strike a blow against Russia. This has created the possibility of an energy crisis in Slovakia, prompting Fico to emphasize the need for securing the country’s energy interests.

In response to the potential gas supply disruption, Slovakia recently signed a short-term pilot project with Azerbaijan to purchase natural gas. Additionally, earlier this year, Slovakia reached an agreement to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States via Poland. The country is also exploring alternative gas supplies through Austrian, Hungarian, and Czech networks, which could facilitate imports from Germany and other suppliers.

Fico's visit to Moscow is not an isolated incident. In July, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán also visited Russia, while Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer met Putin shortly after the war began. Both visits drew criticism from Kyiv and other European leaders for undermining EU unity.

Slovakia's recent move underscores the growing challenges within the EU as member states navigate the delicate balance between collective sanctions against Russia and their individual national interests, particularly in energy security.