Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed openness to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico acting as a mediator for potential peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Speaking at a press conference in St. Petersburg, Putin stated that Fico had offered Slovakia as a platform for negotiations, a proposal the Russian leader described as “acceptable.” He also commended Slovakia’s “neutral position” on the conflict.
Fico, one of the few European leaders with strong ties to the Kremlin, met with Putin in Moscow last Sunday. The visit, an unusual move for an EU leader, contrasts with the broader Western strategy of isolating Russia and supporting Ukraine. Fico joins Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer as one of only three EU leaders to visit Russia since the invasion began.
Russian President Putin has said Moscow is open to a Slovakian proposal to host peace talks with Kyiv with a view to ending the Ukraine war. https://t.co/B2hD6LPtQD
— DW News (@dwnews) December 26, 2024
For Ukraine, however, Fico is a less favorable choice for negotiations. Since returning to power in autumn 2023, the Slovak leader has halted military aid to Ukraine and consistently advocated for peace talks, positioning himself against the prevailing Western stance. Despite Slovakia being a NATO and EU member, Fico has accused Kyiv of jeopardizing Russian gas supplies, which are critical for Slovakia’s energy needs.
The prospect of peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine appears increasingly plausible, particularly with discussions about former U.S. President Donald Trump’s potential return to the White House. Trump has pledged to bring peace to Ukraine “within 24 hours” and called for an “immediate ceasefire” and negotiations. However, Ukraine remains cautious, fearing it could be pressured into an unfavorable agreement that would result in significant territorial losses.