Robert Fico, the Slovak Prime Minister, discussed the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine and the war situation with Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently announced he would not extend the gas transit contract expiring on December 31. Fico noted that Putin expressed willingness to continue gas supplies after January 1, 2025, depending on Zelensky's stance. Fico, one of the few European leaders maintaining ties with Putin, faced criticism for his views, which differ significantly from the European mainstream regarding the war. The visit was not publicly announced beforehand, and Fico's party won elections with pro-Russian, anti-Western messages. Zelensky criticized Fico's focus on gas transit, emphasizing the need for Ukraine to negotiate with other countries instead of being used as a propaganda tool by Putin. He also highlighted the unacceptable nature of sanctions against the Russian nuclear industry, which could harm Slovakia's energy production. Teljes cikk (SzabadEurópa)