The Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, has invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to a meeting where he wishes to discuss the cessation of Russian gas transit through Ukraine.
On his Facebook page, he recorded a video message inviting for negotiations "as soon as possible."
"The meeting could take place on the territory of the Slovak Republic, not far from the state border between Slovakia and Ukraine. It is symbolic that for the trip to Slovakia, you could use the direct train service from Kyiv to Košice, which is a result of the joint efforts of our governments," he noted.
Fico also emphasized that Ukraine's decision to halt gas transit allegedly causes significant harm to the European Union, Slovakia, and even Ukraine itself. The Slovak Prime Minister stated that he does not wish to further "escalate tensions."
"As the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic, I hold differing views on a number of issues compared to you. In particular, I do not believe in a strategy that suggests that the continuation of mutual bloodshed in the war in Ukraine strengthens Ukraine's position in potential peace negotiations," Fico said.
That is why he consistently emphasizes the need for an "immediate cessation of hostilities."
Other news about Robert Fico
Earlier, UNIAN reported that Fico called the Ukrainian president "poor" and "a blackmailer". "I am not here to walk side by side with Zelensky. I admit: it is getting tiresome. He runs around Europe, begging and blackmailing, asking others for money. This simply needs to stop," said the Prime Minister of Slovakia.
Volodymyr Zelensky, in turn, stated that Ukraine had offered Slovakia assistance with gas, while Fico "arrogantly refused."
"The problem is precisely that he has bet on Moscow, not on his own country, nor on a united Europe, and not on common sense," the President of Ukraine emphasized.