Slovak PM Fico lays out terms for potential Zelenskyy meeting

According to the Slovak Prime Minister, he is interested in meeting with Zelenskyy, but first plans to hold talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

"On Tuesday, I am going to Paris for a nuclear forum. And then we will try to arrange a meeting with the head of the European Commission during my stay in France," Fico says.

He also says that Slovakia, together with the European Commission, should put pressure on Zelensky so that Ukraine allows on-site inspections and resumes the transit of Russian oil.

"Because he is harming the entire European Union and, of course, will get nothing from it. On the contrary, he is losing the support of an increasing number of countries," the Slovak Prime Minister believes.

He adds that until Slovakia agrees on a position with the European Commission and Hungary, a meeting with the Ukrainian President makes no sense.

"I think that a meeting with President Zelenskyy will take place later. We have not yet agreed on a venue. Until Slovakia coordinates its position with the European Commission, as well as Hungary, this meeting is pointless. Because President Zelenskyy demonstratively does not want to allow oil to pass through his territory," Fico says.

Fico's invitation to Ukraine

On February 27, Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a telephone conversation with Robert Fico and invited him to visit Ukraine to discuss current issues.

This call took place after the Slovak Prime Minister announced on February 21 that Slovakia could stop supplying emergency electricity to Ukraine from March 2 if Kyiv did not resume the transit of Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline, which had been halted due to Russian strikes.

Zelenskyy also trolled the Hungarian Prime Minister and responded to Fico's conditions.