Dispute between neighbors: Zelenskyj sees Slovakian Fico on the wrong path

Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico’s controversial trip to Moscow has prompted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to further criticize his neighbor. “It was a clear mistake for Fico to believe that he could continue his shady dealings with Moscow indefinitely,” Zelenskyj wrote on the X platform.

Before the Russian natural gas transit through Ukraine was stopped, Kiev wanted to help Slovakia, but Fico “arrogantly rejected” this offer, according to Zelenskyj’s account. And that despite the fact that many European politicians warned him. Now he is trying “to shift the blame from himself to others with PR, lies and loud accusations,” Zelenskyj continued.

“But the problem is that he relied on Moscow, not on his country, not on a united Europe and not on common sense,” argued Zelensky. “It was a losing bet from the start.”

Fico traveled to Moscow shortly before Christmas. He spoke with Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin about ways to supply Slovakia with Russian natural gas. Kiev let the transit contract to Europe expire at the turn of the year so as not to offer Moscow any more money for its war chest.

Thousands of people protested on Friday evening in 15 cities in Slovakia against the left-wing nationalist Fico’s Ukraine policy. They accused him of taking a pro-Russian course and “betrayal” of Western allies and neighboring Ukraine, which was attacked by Russia. The organizers of the demonstration criticized Fico’s trip to Moscow as “subordination” to Russian interests.