Fico says Zelensky 'needs this war,' justifies Russia's full-scale invasion
In a 15-minute-long speech, Fico also backed U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent criticism of President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Robert Fico
NATO member turning pro-Russia? Inside Slovakia’s political turmoil
Slovakia, a landlocked country on Ukraine’s western border, is undergoing a dramatic political shift under Prime Minister Robert Fico. As Fico meets with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and cracks down on opposition voices at home, protests are erupting across the country. Tens of thousands of Slovaks have taken to the streets, fearing that their democracy is at risk.
Slovakia resumes gas imports from Russia via TurkStream pipeline
Slovak gas company SPP began importing Russian gas again through the TurkStream pipeline on Feb. 1, with plans to double supplies by April, Slovak news agency TASR reported on Feb. 6.
'No unit named Georgian Legion' in our agency — Ukraine's military intelligence hits back at Slovakia's coup accusations
Slovak officials had previously accused Ukraine's Georgian Legion of acting on orders from Kyiv's military intelligence to attempt a coup d'etat in Bratislava after anti-government protests swept the country.
Slovakia bans Georgian Legion commander, linking him to alleged coup plot
Slovakia has banned Georgian Legion commander Mamuka Mamulashvili from entering the country after the government linked his unit to an alleged coup plot, Denník N reported on Jan. 31.
Ukrainian detained in Slovakia over alleged coup plot, media reports
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry told media that the Ukrainian, born in 1966, is accused of "threatening the national security" of Slovakia.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry calls Fico 'Kremlin's mouthpiece,' summons Slovak ambassador over recent remarks
Ukraine expressed "deep disappointment" over Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's statements after he called President Volodymyr Zelensky "the enemy" of Slovakia.
Slovakia summons Ukrainian ambassador over Zelensky's criticism of Russian gas purchases
According to the statement, the Slovak ministry delivered the Ukrainian ambassador "a strong protest" against statements by the Ukrainian side.
Zelensky backs Slovak protests as Fico criticizes opposition, organizers
"Bratislava is not Moscow, Slovakia is Europe," President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X on Jan. 25, voicing support for protests against Slovakia's government.
Foreign Ministry rejects Slovak PM's unfounded Ukrainian cyberattack claim
The Foreign Ministry denied Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's claim that Ukraine is connected to a cyberattack on Slovakia's national insurance company, according to a statement on the Ministry’s website on Jan. 24.
'Enough of Fico' — Slovaks flood the streets in nationwide anti-government protests
Protests erupted in more than 20 Slovak cities on Jan. 24 under the slogan "Slovakia is Europe," targeting the government of Prime Minister Robert Fico, Slovak media Aktuality reported.
Erdogan intends to discuss ending Russia’s war in Ukraine with Trump
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that there was an urgent need for a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine, at a press conference on Jan. 20.
Fico accuses Slovak opposition leader of 'kissing Zelensky's ring'
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico accused opposition leader Michal Simecka of "kissing Zelensky's ring" during his recent visit to Kyiv and said the pro-Western MP wanted to stage a coup d'etat in Bratislava.
Slovak opposition leader arrives in Kyiv to 'reopen door Fico slammed'
"Our goal is clear — to reopen the door that Robert Fico slammed with his aggressive outbursts," pro-Western opposition leader Michal Simecka said on social media.
Fico may meet with Zelensky in 'next few days'
"We are looking for another date, which should be in the next few days," Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said.
'You were shot. Why didn't you forgive?' Zelensky tells Fico, drawing parallels to Russian aggression
The Slovak government is playing very dangerous game by criticizing military support for Ukraine and getting closer to Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with the Polish media on Jan. 16.
Slovak opposition announces no-confidence vote against PM
Slovakia's pro-Western opposition parties announced plans to initiate a vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Robert Fico's government, citing concerns over his governance and foreign policy direction, TASR news agency reported on Jan. 14.
Fico will not visit Kyiv, Slovak lawmaker says
The development is the latest in an escalating conflict between Ukraine and Slovakia over Kyiv's decision to stop Russian gas transit.
Fico invited Zelensky to Slovakia to discuss gas transit via Ukraine; Zelensky responds
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said he would like to hold a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Slovakia near the border with Ukraine "as soon as possible." "Okay. Come to Kyiv on Friday," Zelensky responded.
Fico refused Kyiv's offers to help with gas supplies, Zelensky says
"We offered our assistance to the people of Slovakia during their adaptation to the absence of Russian gas transit, but Fico arrogantly refused," Zelensky said on Jan. 12.
Fico accuses Zelensky of 'begging' and 'blackmailing' European leaders for support
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico called Ukraine an unreliable partner and accused President Volodymyr Zelensky of blackmailing European leaders for support at a parliamentary meeting on Jan. 10.
Slovak PM threatens Ukraine with aid cuts over halted Russian gas transit
Fico said that Slovakia could halt its humanitarian aid to Ukraine, cut or cancel social benefits for Ukrainian refugees, and cease emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine. He also suggested using veto power over EU decisions as leverage against Kyiv.
Ukraine denies Slovakia's accusation of refusing gas transit talks
Ukraine initiated the meeting to address Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's threats to halt electricity exports to Ukraine and cut support for Ukrainian refugees, Ukraine's envoy to the EU said.
Slovak state energy company to continue supplying electricity to Ukraine despite Fico's threats
Slovakia's state-controlled transmission system operator SEPS said it will continue supplying electricity to Ukraine as part of an emergency assistance contract.
'We are not Russia' — Thousands protest Fico's pro-Kremlin agenda in Bratislava
Approximately 4,000 people assembled in Bratislava on Jan. 3 to protest Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's pro-Russian policies, according to local media.
Slovakia may cut aid to Ukrainian refugees over Russian gas transit halt, PM Fico says
The announcement follows Robert Fico's earlier threats to cut off electricity exports to Ukraine.
'One of Moscow's biggest defeats' — Zelensky on stopping Russian gas transit via Ukraine
"Turning energy into a weapon and cynical energy blackmail of partners is what deprived Russia of its most attractive and geographically accessible market," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Jan. 1.
Fico's threats to cut off electricity supplies won't work, Ukraine's Energy Minister says
Herman Halushchenko said Ukraine could compensate for any disruption by importing electricity from Romania and Poland.
Slovak Defense Minister urges Ukraine to consider territorial concessions for "war to stop immediately"
Slovak Defense Minister Robert Kalinak said that Ukraine may need to cede some territory due to the realities on the ground, Slovak news agency TASR reported on Dec. 29.
Poland prepared to increase energy exports to Ukraine in place of Slovakia, Bloomberg reports
Poland is ready to increase domestic electricity production if Slovakia halts the delivery of backup power supplies to Ukraine, an unnamed Polish official told Bloomberg on Dec. 29.
Putin 'appears to have ordered Slovakia's Fico to open second energy front against Ukraine,' Zelensky says
Zelensky said this was "the only possible meaning" of Fico's threats to cut off Ukraine's emergency power supply in the winter, given Russian attacks on power plants and the distribution network.
Slovakia threatens to cut electricity supplies if Ukraine ends Russian gas transit
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced on Dec. 27 that his government will evaluate potential reciprocal measures against Ukraine, including halting electricity supplies, if Ukraine stops the transit of Russian gas to Slovakia after January 1.
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