Putin's meeting with Slovak prime minister — ISW names the goal

On December 22, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin met with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. His goal was to advance Russia's campaign to undermine Western unity in support of Ukraine. —

This was reported by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Putin's meeting with Fico

It is known that the parties met in Moscow for the first time since 2016. This was the third visit of an EU official to Russia since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the occupiers.

"According to reports, Putin and Fico discussed Ukraine's decision not to transit Russian gas from January 1, 2025, and also exchanged views on Russia's war in Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced that Fico and Putin would not hold a joint press conference or make joint statements following the meeting," the article reads.

Analysts note that the Kremlin is developing relations with individual members of the West and NATO to use them to deepen divisions in the West and undermine support for Ukraine.

On December 22, Fico visited Moscow and met with Putin. However, the Slovak opposition criticized the trip.

Later, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted to the meeting. He said that Fico has its own benefits from cooperation with Russia.