Slovakia calls delegation's visit to Russia a signal for the European Union

The visit of the Slovak delegation to Moscow was a signal to other European Union (EU) countries about the need to hear Russia and engage in dialog. Tibor Gašpar, vice-speaker of the Slovak Parliament, told reporters on January 13.

"This should serve as a certain signal to other European countries and their leaders. It means that we have to negotiate, we have to listen to each other, because only as a result of this can we find solutions. Our visit is the first such symbol," TASS quoted him as saying.

Gaspar drew attention to the importance of dialog at the international level, which would strengthen the bond between the states. The deputy speaker added that the Slovak authorities seek to familiarize their citizens with the Russian side's vision on a wide range of issues.

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During the talks between Vladimir Putin and Robert Fitzo, the topic of fuel supplies via Ukraine may have been raised

The Slovak delegation arrived in Moscow earlier in the day. The visit will last until January 15. At the same time, Poland did not allow the plane with the Slovak parliamentary delegation to fly through its airspace, the sky was closed for the flight. Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna, said that this refusal by Poland is beyond imagination.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fitzo held talks in the Kremlin on December 22, 2024. The latter described his visit to Russia as a reaction to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky 's (term of office expired on May 20, 2024) announcement to stop the transit of Russian gas to Europe. The Ukrainian conflict was one of the topics of the meeting.