Slovakia emerges as potential peace broker for Ukraine conflict

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Robert Fico reportedly made this proposal during his Sunday visit to the Kremlin. "We are not opposed to such a solution. Why not? Slovakia has taken a neutral stance," Putin said. During the press conference following the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council meeting, the Russian president mentioned that any potential talks would occur after the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.

Putin's remarks followed a meeting with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico at the Kremlin on December 22. According to Fico, the meeting was primarily business-focused, addressing gas supplies after Kyiv declared it would not extend the contract to transit Russian gas to Europe beyond December 31. However, Putin did not conceal that the main discussion topics were the war in Ukraine and possible peace talks.

Fico's visit attracted sharp criticism from EU and Ukrainian officials. President Volodymyr Zelensky described Fico's pro-Russian energy policy as "a significant security problem" for Slovakia and Europe.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed that France has contacted Moscow multiple times regarding Ukraine, allegedly bypassing Kyiv's authorities. "Through closed channels, our French colleagues reached out to us, notably without Ukraine," Lavrov stated, as reported by the pro-Kremlin agency RIA Novosti.

The French government strongly reacted to Lavrov's comments. An official, quoted by Politico, said, "The Russian authorities often make excessive statements intended to manipulate an aggression for which they are fully responsible." "If Russia wants peace, it must end the war itself," he asserted, adding that "France supports the peace formula proposed by Ukraine."

Source: The Kyiv Independent, RIA Novosti, WP Wiadomości