Slovak PM Fico met Putin in Moscow and called visit a great honour

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico met Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin and described his trip to Moscow on 9 May as a great honour.

Source: Slovak outlet Aktuality.sk and Russian agency RIA Novosti

"On behalf of the government of the Slovak Republic and the Slovak delegation present here, allow me to congratulate you on this most outstanding national holiday," Fico said at the meeting.

According to RIA Novosti, the Slovak prime minister also said that a new "iron curtain" is emerging in Europe, but that Russia and Slovakia can take steps towards normalising relations.

Putin acknowledged the difficulties surrounding Fico's trip after Baltic states refused to allow his aircraft through their airspace. The Kremlin leader stressed that "it is important he was still able to come" and said Russia stood ready to cover Slovakia's energy needs.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and the head of Rosatom were also present at the meeting.

Fico was the only European leader to travel to Moscow in person for 9 May. He did not, as far as is known, attend the parade on Red Square.

Context

Last year, Fico and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić were the only European heads of state or government to attend Putin's 9 May celebrations in Moscow. This year, Vučić did not travel to Russia and sent a congratulatory letter instead.