Zelenskyy slams Slovakia’s PM Robert Fico following a controversial visit to meet Putin in Moscow

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy slammed Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico in a submit on social media platform X, previously Twitter, accusing the Slovak chief of serving to Russia’s Vladimir Putin weaken Europe.

Zelenskyy’s feedback adopted a uncommon go to to Moscow by an EU chief for the reason that Kremlin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Fico’s go to to the Russian capital on Sunday was categorized as a one-one-one “working journey” with Putin geared toward discussing “the worldwide state of affairs”, prospects of a “peaceable finish” to the warfare in Ukraine and Russian pure fuel deliveries to Slovakia.

Fico’s journey adopted Zelenskyy’s feedback on Thursday’s European Summit in Brussels. The Ukrainian chief declared his intention of not renewing a five-year settlement signed earlier than the warfare on his nation that enabled the movement of Russian pure fuel to some European international locations; together with Slovakia, by means of Ukraine, set to run out on the finish of this yr.

Fico stated Zelenskyy’s choice would hurt his nation’s pursuits and financial system, opting to hunt an alternate association with Putin as an alternative of sourcing a substitute for Russian fuel.

Zelenskyy took to X saying the dependency and buy of Russian fuel helps Putin earn cash to fund his warfare on Ukraine. “We’re dropping folks because of the warfare that Putin began, and we imagine that such help to Putin is immoral.”

“Moscow supplies important reductions to Fico, however Slovakia pays for them. Such reductions aren’t free, funds to Russia are made by means of sovereignty or murky schemes. This must be a matter of concern for Slovakia’s regulation enforcement and particular providers,” continued Zelenskyy.

Zelenskyy says that proof of such financing was revealed in final week’s Summit in Brussels. “Leaders noticed that Mr. Fico doesn’t wish to take part within the frequent European work on power independence or search alternative for Russian fuel, however fairly desires to help Russia in pushing American fuel and power assets of different companions away from Europe,” added the Ukrainian president.

Zelenskyy famous that Fico had even refused compensations provided to Slovakia to ease the transition interval as Europe appears to be like to lower its reliance on Russian power. The Ukrainian chief implied that the Kremlin had incentivised Fico monetarily to make sure Slovakia’s continued curiosity in solely Russian fuel.

“It’s not a safety difficulty for him. He’s particularly within the Russian fuel and the matter’s value is 500 million U.S. {dollars} per yr. Different earnings come from the oil pipe that runs by means of the Ukrainian territory and provides one other 500 million U.S. {dollars} per yr, which helps Mr. Fico.”

Criticism over Fico’s go to to Moscow grows domestically

Hundreds of individuals took half in anti-government protests within the capital, Bratislava, on Monday after the Slovak premier’s shock talks with Putin.

Protesters held placards calling Fico a traitor and denouncing him as their prime minister.

In a submit on X, Michal Šimečka, chief of Slovakia’s largest opposition get together, Progressive Slovakia, known as Fico’s go to a supply of disgrace for the nation, likening it to betraying their nationwide pursuits and companions.

He continued accusing his rival of constructing Slovakia a software of the Kremlin’s propaganda machine, insisting Fico ought to have negotiated with Ukraine if fuel was actually his level of concern.

Newest on the bottom in Ukraine

Russian troops have reportedly made important developments in varied Ukrainian territories, leaving Kiev’s forces on the again foot.

Ukraine has misplaced territory to Russian forces within the northeastern Kharkiv Oblast and japanese Donetsk Oblast areas, in keeping with Ukrainian media retailers.

The Kremlin’s positive aspects within the area had been kickstarted by Russia’s capturing of Avdiivka in February, paving the way in which for main offensives to batter Ukraine’s japanese fronts for the rest of the yr.

A number of key industrial cities within the Donetsk area shortly fell to Russian assaults, as Ukraine, battling troop shortages is now ending the yr having ceded a number of key territories.

Ukrainian media additionally experiences {that a} Russian counteroffensive involving North Korean troops could also be imminent, providing little respite or prospect for a optimistic change on the battleground.