Fico announced he will meet with Zelensky "in the coming days."

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has agreed to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Ukraine after all.

According to the publication Irozhlas, Fico made this announcement while responding to journalists' questions during his visit to eastern Slovakia.

“We are looking for another date for the meeting, which should take place in the next few days,” Fico said. He did not provide any further details.

On January 13, Fico, who visited Moscow at the end of December, suggested to Zelensky that they discuss the resumption of gas transit through Ukraine during a personal meeting at a “symbolic location” - near the borders of the two countries, but on Slovak territory. He posted a video message to Zelensky on his Facebook.

Zelensky responded on social media X (formerly Twitter): “Okay. Come to Kyiv on Friday.”

Vice-Speaker of the Slovak Parliament Tibor Gaspar stated on Tuesday that “it is impossible,” and that Fico would not travel to Kyiv on Friday. However, judging by Fico's latest statement, the Slovak Prime Minister will indeed go to meet Zelensky.

Relations between Bratislava and Kyiv soured at the end of 2024 when the agreement on the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine to Europe, including Slovakia, expired. Fico had previously threatened to stop assistance to Kyiv, but on Monday he stated that he does not want to “further escalate tensions” between the countries.

Background. It should be noted that the Slovak opposition is initiating a vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Fico. Opposition leader Michal Simecka has accused Fico of redirecting Slovakia towards a pro-Russian policy.