'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
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.
Slovak energy company, partners call for continued gas transit via Ukraine
Slovakia's state-owned energy company SPP and its partners in Hungary, Italy, and Austria called for continued gas transit through Ukraine in a declearation published on Dec. 17.
Russian gas transit deal ends on December 31, won't be renewed, PM Shmyhal says
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on Dec. 16 that the deal allowing Russian gas to transit through Ukraine will not be extended beyond the end of the year. His statement comes as several European countries intensify efforts to secure alternative energy supplies.
Peace cannot be achieved without territorial loss for Ukraine, Slovak president says
"When it comes to peace, I believe that realism must be maintained. Today, probably no sensible person in Europe believes that peace can be achieved without some partial territorial losses for Ukraine," Slovak President Peter Pellegrini said.
As NATO ministers meet, some members continue to oppose membership invitation for Ukraine
An undisclosed NATO source told the Ukrainian Suspilne outlet that the U.S. and Germany continue to oppose inviting Ukraine at the moment.
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.
Russia behind recent bomb threats at Czech, Slovak schools, Czech intelligence chief says
Michal Koudelka, the director of the Czech Security Information Service, said on Nov. 18 that Russia was behind a flurry of bomb threats made against schools in Czechia and Slovakia in recent months.
Slovakia signs pilot contract for purchase of natural gas from Azerbaijan
Slovensky plynarensky priemysel (SPP) may also consider a longer-term agreement, as it is also preparing to cut off Russian gas supplies through Ukraine.
Slovak president denies all requests from citizens wanting to fight in Ukraine
Slovak President Peter Pellegrini recently rejected all four requests from Slovak citizens wishing to join Ukraine's armed forces, Slovak media source TASR reported on Nov. 3.
Slovak PM interviewed by top Russian propagandist
Talking to the propagandist sanctioned by Western countries, the prime minister of a NATO and EU member country discussed several topics, including the Nord Stream pipeline explosions and the supposed Western fatigue over the support of Ukraine.
Fire breaks out at Slovak factory producing artillery shells for Ukraine
The fire broke out at 1:30 p.m. local time in a hydraulic press used for the three-dimensional molding of steel shell casings.
Ukraine's immediate accession to NATO 'not realistic,' Slovak president says following meeting with Scholz
"We agreed with the Chancellor that today the issue of Ukraine's accession is not on the table, and it cannot come to the table," Pellegrini said.
Pro-Kremlin lawmaker from Fico's party visits Moscow, apologizes for EU policies
Lubos Blaha, a senior lawmaker from Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's pro-Russian Smer (Direction) party, visited Moscow on Oct. 12.
Slovakia to expand its base of repairing Ukrainian military hardware, foreign minister says
Slovakia will expand its military base in Michalovce, repairing Ukrainian military equipment instead of supplying new weapons to Ukraine, Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár said on Oct. 11.
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