Slovakia is preparing to start discussions regarding Russian energy supplies in Moscow next week, marking a significant step in the resumption of cooperative efforts that were suspended after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This development reflects a notable divergence from the positions held by its European Union and NATO allies.
The Slovak Foreign Ministry announced that the intergovernmental commission for economic, scientific, and technical cooperation between Slovakia and Russia will convene in Moscow on 26 October.
This meeting marks the first dialogue since Russia’s aggression against Ukraine began in 2022 and will focus primarily on energy, including nuclear power, as well as agriculture, the environment, sports, and culture. The decision to restart these consultations follows a series of visits to Moscow by Prime Minister Robert Fico, the latest of which occurred in May.
After pro-Russian leader Viktor Orbán‘s recent electoral defeat in Hungary, Fico has moderated his criticisms of the European Union to avoid a similar political outcome. For example, he avoided attending the military parade during his 9 May visit to Moscow and spoke by phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on 3 May. Encouraged by US President Donald Trump‘s recent statements supporting Russia, Fico is now seeking to restart discussions.
Slovakia, which currently buys Russian oil and gas, is expected to end its gas imports by late 2027 under an EU directive aimed at reducing the financial resources available to Russia amid ongoing conflicts. The Slovak Foreign Ministry has emphasised that while it seeks to develop relations with Russia, Slovakia’s approach will remain grounded in its commitments as a member of the European Union and NATO.
Fico, serving his fourth term in office, has openly criticised EU sanctions against Russia and has attributed earlier disruptions in oil supplies to Ukraine’s actions, which Kyiv has countered by underscoring the impact of Russian military actions. Although he has suspended military aid to Ukraine, Slovakia continues to export ammunition and military equipment commercially through state-owned enterprises.
Fico said he prefers a neutral Slovakia rather than remaining a NATO member, adding that Slovak soldiers should not be involved in military engagements stemming from NATO’s mutual defence obligations. He also cautioned that Western actions may provoke a confrontation with Russia, while Western intelligence assessments suggest they are fundamentally defensive.
Additionally, Fico has sought to consolidate authority, echoing aspects of Orbán’s governance, including restrictions on judicial independence and media freedom, and laws targeting civil society organisations and social minorities.
