Without Fico: Slovak Opposition Leader Arrives in Ukraine to Meet with President Zelenskyy
A delegation of Slovak oppositionists has arrived in Kyiv. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with their leader, the head of the opposition party Progressive Slovakia Michal Šimečka. This was reported by Ukrinform.
‘For our part, we are ready to conduct a constructive dialogue between our countries. We are ready to talk about energy security. This topic is sensitive. We are very open, ready to help the Slovak people achieve energy stability. But it is important for us to hear a signal from the Slovak people that you will also support the Ukrainian people on our path to the EU and NATO, because this is key for us,’ Zelenskyy said.
According to TASR, Slovak pro-Western opposition parties will soon initiate a vote of no confidence in the government of Robert Fico.
The President noted that Ukraine appreciates Slovakia's assistance.
‘Everything you have done for our people, your attitude is very important to us, thank you very much for supporting our sovereignty and our people. Your visit is a signal that you will continue to support our sovereignty and independence,’ Zelenskyy said at the beginning of the meeting.
He also recalled that Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico had been invited to Ukraine for talks.
‘We were ready to receive the leader of our friends from Slovakia, but another leader came,’ Zelenskyy said.
On Monday, Fico recorded a video message to Volodymyr Zelenskyy and invited him to talks to discuss the issue of stopping the transit of Russian gas through Ukrainian territory.
Zelenskyy responded by inviting Fico to talks in Kyiv on 17 January. However, the Slovak prime minister has not confirmed the visit.