Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has voiced his determination to restore normal relations with Russia, even as a “new Iron Curtain” descends. Meeting President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin, Fico stressed that Slovakia depends on Russian oil and gas, calling these “significant resources.” He urged taking “several steps” to rebuild standard ties, insisting his country cannot limit cooperation to energy alone.

Fico also invoked shared history, praising the Soviet role in liberating Slovakia and rejecting any “distortion of historical facts.” He described it as a “great honor” to attend Moscow’s Victory Day celebrations. While many EU nations have distanced themselves from Russia since the invasion of Ukraine, Fico’s stance signals a sovereign policy open to friendly relations with Moscow—underscoring a growing divide between Western solidarity and Central European energy realities.

janus