Putin Pledges Support for Slovakia’s Energy Supply

(MENAFN) Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday that Moscow is prepared to fully support Slovakia in addressing its energy demands during talks at the Kremlin with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.

During the meeting, Putin stated that relations between Russia and Slovakia had traditionally been based on close political communication and consistent cooperation. However, he said ties became strained because of the war in Ukraine as well as what he characterized as a confrontational approach adopted by the European Union and NATO, organizations of which Slovakia is a member.

“At the same time, your government strives to pursue a sovereign foreign policy and chart a pragmatic course toward Russia,” he said, welcoming the “gradual restoration of bilateral cooperation, which was effectively frozen by the efforts of the previous Slovak authorities.”

Fico has served as Slovakia’s prime minister since October 2023.

Putin also noted that trade between the two countries had fallen significantly over the last two years, though both governments hope the current visit could help reopen opportunities for stronger economic ties and broader cooperation.

The Russian leader additionally expressed appreciation to Fico for traveling to Moscow for the Victory Day commemorations despite transportation and organizational complications. He also praised the Slovak premier’s position regarding what he called the preservation of the historical record surrounding World War II and the Soviet Union’s role in defeating Nazism across Europe.

According to historical estimates cited in reports, the Soviet Union experienced the largest military losses during World War II, with approximately 8.7 million to 11 million Red Army troops killed. Overall Soviet casualties, including civilians, are estimated to have ranged between 20 million and 27 million people.

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