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.
Robert Fico
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.
Russia 'not opposed' to having Slovakia host peace talks, Putin says
Responding to questions from journalists, Putin said that Slovakian officials "would be happy to provide their own country as a platform for negotiations. We are not opposed, if it comes to that. Why not? Since Slovakia takes such a neutral position."
'Fico’s energy policy poses a threat to Europe' — Ukraine criticizes Slovak PM after Russia visit
The criticism followed Fico's meeting with Putin in Moscow on Dec. 22 to discuss gas supplies after Ukraine announced it would not extend its transit deal for Russian gas beyond Dec. 31.
'What is being paid to him, and what does he pay with?' — Zelensky blasts Fico after Moscow visit
Zelensky called Fico's pro-Russian energy policy "a big security issue" for Slovakia and Europe, asking: "Why is this leader so dependent on Moscow? What is being paid to him, and what does he pay with?"
'We don't have to grovel before a mass murderer' — Czechia blasts Fico over Moscow trip
The Czech government’s decision to wean itself off from Russian energy ensured that "we don't have to grovel before a mass murderer," Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said on Dec. 22, referring to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s visit to Moscow.
Putin, Slovak PM discuss gas transit, standardizing 'mutual relations,' Fico says after Kremlin meeting
"In a long conversation ... Putin and I exchanged views on the military situation in Ukraine, the possibilities of an early peaceful end to the war, and on mutual relations between the Slovak Republic and the Russian Federation, which I intend to standardize."
Ukraine war latest: For the first time, Ukraine attacks Russian positions using solely ground, FPV drones
Key developments on Dec. 21-22: * For the first time, Ukraine attacks Russian positions using solely ground, FPV drones * Over 12,000 civilians killed in Ukraine during Russia's full-scale war, UN says * Two Russian airports suspend flights after Ukrainian drones target Kazan, media, officials report * Slovak PM Robert Fico meets with
Slovak PM Robert Fico meets with Putin in Moscow
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on December 22, according to the state-owned TASS news agency.
Slovak PM Robert Fico to visit Putin in Russia next week, Serbian president says
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said he had "learned unofficially" of the upcoming visit.
Fico criticizes Zelensky over refusal to extend Russian gas transit, warns of crisis
President Volodymyr Zelensky reaffirmed the refusal during a press conference on Dec. 19, saying that Kyiv would not enable Moscow to earn additional revenue while continuing its war.
Slovak PM Robert Fico to discuss gas transit through Ukraine with EU chief
Slovakia currently imports 3 billion cubic meters of gas per year through Ukraine from Russia’s energy giant Gazprom.
Slovakia’s PM Fico lashes out at EU for expressing support for Ukraine
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said he called European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen to convey to her his disagreement. The Slovak prime minister has repeatedly criticized the EU's support for Ukraine.
Slovak PM accepts Putin's invitation to Moscow Victory Day celebrations
Slovakia's Ukraine-skeptic Prime Minister Robert Fico accepted Russian President Vladimir Putin's invitation to attend the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow next May, Fico announced on Nov. 27.
'Unprecedented escalation' — Fico criticizes US for permitting use of ATACMS to strike Russia
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, known for echoing Moscow's talking points, claimed that U.S. President Joe Biden has authorized the use of ATACMS against targets in Russia "to disrupt or delay peace talks completely."
(Updated: )
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