Zelensky Invites Slovak PM Fico to Ukraine to Discuss ‘Issues’

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that he was speaking to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, and had invited him to visit Ukraine to discuss the tensions between their two countries.

“Right now I am speaking with Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico. I have invited him to Ukraine to discuss all the issues we have,” Zelensky said.

No further details of the conversation were immediately made available, and it is not yet known whether Fico has accepted the invitation.

Fico has repeatedly criticized Western military aid to Ukraine and opposed further sanctions against Russia. Since returning to office in 2023, he has halted Slovakia’s state military assistance to Kyiv, while allowing commercial arms supplies to continue.

He has also voiced opposition to Ukraine’s NATO membership and called for what he describes as “peace negotiations” with Moscow.

Row over Druzhba oil pipeline

Lately, tensions between Kyiv and Bratislava have also centered around the transit of Russian oil through Ukrainian territory. 

Hungary and Slovakia have accused Ukraine of delaying repairs to Russia’s Druzhba oil pipeline for political reasons. Kyiv, in turn, argues that Russian attacks on critical infrastructure have caused the disruption.

Relations between the two countries have been strained at times over differing approaches to Russia’s war against Ukraine and broader regional security issues.

On Monday, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced the suspension of emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine, saying Bratislava would resume them only once oil transit via Druzhba to Slovakia is restored.

Other Topics of Interest

Ukraine Welcomes US-Iran Deal, Sees Chance for Peace Push

Ukraine welcomed the US-Iran agreement announced under President Donald Trump’s leadership, calling it a step toward regional stability and economic security. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Kyiv also sees the deal as an opportunity for Washington to renew diplomatic efforts to end Russia’s war against Ukraine, with the issue expected to feature prominently during talks at the G7 summit.

A day later, European Council President António Costa said an agreement had been reached under which Ukraine would assess the necessary repair works to restore the pipeline damaged by Russia’s attack.