Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky holds a press conference on the sidelines of the European Council summit. Francois Lenoir/European Council/dpa Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday sharply criticized Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico ...

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Fico is the third EU leader, after Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, to meet with Putin since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. #Euro

Slovak PM Robert Fico made a surprise visit to Moscow for gas talks with Putin, discussing Ukraine conflict, peace prospects.

Fico’s views on Russia’s war on Ukraine differ sharply from most other European leaders. Slovakia's prime minister returned to power last year after his leftist party won parliamentary elections on a pro-Russia and anti-American platform.

Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico warned of a gas crisis on Friday as Ukraine continued to reject extending the transit of natural gas through its territory after a contract expires at the end of the year.

Explore Slovak PM Robert Fico's controversial Moscow visit for a gas deal with Putin amid EU tensions and Ukraine support criticisms.- Watch Video on English Oneindia

Russia said on Monday that the situation with European countries that buy its gas through a transit deal via Ukraine is very complicated and needs more attention, after talks between President Vladimir Putin and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.

President Volodymyr Zelensky on Dec. 23 accused Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico of undermining Europe's efforts to become independent of Russian gas and helping Moscow to fund its war against Ukraine.

Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico has for the second time in as many months made comments against Ukraine joining NATO. He did, however, acknowledge that Russia's invasion had violated international law.

Amid a tense geopolitical landscape, Russia highlights the complex situation surrounding its gas exports to Europe via Ukraine, a key transit route due to expire soon. With Slovakia and other nations facing potential supply disruptions,