Zelensky invites Slovak leader to Kyiv ahead of Moscow trip

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico on May 2 and invited him to Kyiv a week ahead of Fico's planned trip to Moscow for the May 9 Victory Day parade.

The relationship between Zelensky and Fico has mostly been marked by periods of tension. Relations severely deteriorated earlier this year during a dispute over the Druzhba pipeline, which supplies Russian crude to Slovakia and Hungary.

Fico also became the first EU leader to visit Moscow during the full-scale war for its May 9 Victory Day celebrations last year. Despite criticism from fellow European leaders, Fico plans to visit again next week.

But Zelensky said the two countries need to have "strong relations" and that the two leaders should meet in person soon. Zelensky reciprocated Fico's invitation to Bratislava and thanked him for supporting Ukraine's EU accession bid.

"It was important to hear that Slovakia supports Ukraine's membership in the European Union and is ready to share its experience of joining the EU," Zelensky wrote on social media.

For his part, Fico also emphasized the importance of good relations between Kyiv and Bratislava and reiterated his support for Ukraine's EU membership.

"Although we have differing views on some issues, we share a common interest in good and friendly relations between Slovakia and Ukraine," Fico wrote on Facebook after the call. "I confirmed that Slovakia supports Ukraine's aspirations to join the EU, as Slovakia wishes for Ukraine, our neighbor, to be a stable and democratic country."

Despite previous comments parroting Russian propaganda about the war in Ukraine, Fico went on to voice support for Kyiv's diplomatic position in peace negotiations with Moscow.

"I also emphasized that no peace agreement in the military conflict with the Russian Federation is possible without the consent of the Ukrainian side," he said.

Fico said the leaders agreed to meet "briefly" in Yerevan, Armenia during the upcoming European Political Community (EPC) Summit on May 4 and plan to exchange visits to each other's capitals.

Zelensky previously invited Fico to Kyiv early last year, but the Slovak leader declined the invitation. He has not visited Kyiv since taking office in 2023, although he met Zelensky in Uzhhorod, Zakarpattia Oblast, in September 2025.

Over the winter and early spring, Fico and his close ally, outgoing Hungarian leader Viktor Orban, threatened to cut emergency electricity exports to Ukraine. They accused Kyiv of deliberately stopping transit through the Druzhba pipeline, which was shut down in late January after sustaining damage in a Russian attack.

Slovakia also blocked the European Union’s 20th package of sanctions against Russia, although Bratislava lifted its veto on April 22 after the Druzhba pipeline resumed operations.

Fico has faced opposition at home for his Kremlin-friendly position, including widespread protests. Since returning to power in 2023, the populist leader has halted Slovak military aid to Ukraine and opposed EU efforts to reduce energy dependence on Russia.