Fico said it was a “great honor” to be in the Kremlin and
congratulated Russia “on the greatest national holiday.”
The Slovak prime minister also said a “new Iron Curtain” is
emerging in Europe, but that Slovakia and Russia could take steps toward
normalizing relations.
Putin said he was aware of the difficulties Fico faced
crossing the borders of Baltic states during the trip. The Russian dictator
also promised to “meet Slovakia’s energy needs.”
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Rosatom’s chief
also attended the meeting. Putin adviser Yuri Ushakov claimed Fico had not
passed along any “messages” from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy,
though Ukraine was discussed.
“Fico simply briefed us in quite some detail on what he had
discussed with Zelenskyy,” Ushakov added.
On May 8, Ukrainian presidential communications adviser
Dmytro Lytvyn said Fico could pass along a signal to Russian dictator Vladimir
Putin during his Moscow trip that Ukraine is “ready for leaders-level meetings
in a meaningful format.”
On May 9, Ushakov said Putin was ready to meet Ukrainian
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Moscow.
“Our president has said several times that if he [Zelenskyy]
wants to, he is welcome to call Moscow. We are ready to receive him and hold
talks,” he said.
Zelenskyy has said more than once that he is ready to meet
Putin, but not in Moscow or Kyiv. Possible venues, he has said, include the
Middle East, Europe or the United States.
In April, Fico claimed he would travel to Russia on May 9
but would not take part in the Moscow parade, saying he would limit his visit
to laying flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. On May 4, he confirmed he
would not attend the parade during his visit to Russia.