Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Slovak prime minister Robert Fico had informed him that Slovakia was ready to host possible peace talks between Moscow and Kiev to end the war in Ukraine.
Putin told the media that Fico stressed during a recent meeting with him that”if there are talks, [Slovaks] would gladly offer the country as a platform”.
Most of the conditions for peace that Putin has suggested so far have been described as unacceptable by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.
Fico is one of the few European leaders with whom Putin has maintained friendly relations since Moscow launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Slovakia is seen as one of the European Union member states from Central and Eastern Europe reluctant to back Ukraine and support starting talks with Russia.
Zelensky has repeatedly criticized Slovakia, which borders Ukraine, for Fico’s friendly tone toward Russia since he returned to power after the 2023 elections.
Putin has repeatedly said Russia is open to talks to end the conflict with Kiev, but that it will achieve its goals in Ukraine.
Putin said on Thursday that Russia could use the new hypersonic, intermediate-range ballistic missile known as the Oreshnik, but that it was in no hurry.
“We do not rule out the possibility to use it today and tomorrow, if necessary,” Putin said. / REL
