Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and his Slovak counterpart Robert Fico met on 7 October near Uzhhorod, reports Suspilne’s correspondent from the scene.
The leaders are set to discuss cooperation in energy security and infrastructure projects. According to Shmyhal, this marks the second meeting with Slovakia’s government.
“We will focus on discussing the roadmap—a plan of joint measures that we signed during our first meeting. This includes cooperation in infrastructure projects, the economy, and energy security,” Shmyhal wrote on Telegram.
The meeting comes after Fico’s controversial statements. The Slovak PM expressed opposition to Ukraine joining NATO, reminding that membership requires approval from all alliance members. Fico has also previously said that he desires to restore normal relations with Russia after the war in Ukraine ends.
Fico also reportedly plans to persuade Ukraine not to halt gas transit when the current agreement with Gazprom expires at the end of 2024. Previously, Ukraine rejected the extension of the contract with Gazprom for transit through its gas transportation system, which expires at the end of 2024.
During the meeting, the Ukrainian PM highlighted Slovakia’s role in Ukraine’s energy imports, saying, “A significant part of electricity imports to Ukraine comes from Slovakia, which has never refused to help.”
According to Shmyhal, the agenda also includes strengthening support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s peace plan, backing Ukraine’s EU membership, demining Ukrainian territories, humanitarian aid, and Ukraine’s reconstruction.
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