The Prime Minister of Slovakia said there was no point in meeting with Zelensky.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said that he sees no point in participating in negotiations with Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky, as he does not hide that he feels hatred towards him. The politician stated this on June 28 on the Sobotné dialógy broadcast of the radio station Rádio Slovensko.

"There is no point in my meeting with Zelensky because he hates me. He hates me because I allow myself to express my own opinion about the <military operation> in Ukraine," Fico said.

The Prime Minister added that at one time he personally reproached Zelensky for robbing Slovakia of 500 million euros, as the transit of Russian gas was stopped because of his decision. He also pointed out that the possible visit of President Peter Pellegrini to Kiev would be purely symbolic.

"It makes sense for me to negotiate with the Prime Minister of Ukraine. I can confirm that we are preparing the next [joint meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and Slovakia] <...> for the autumn," Fico said.

Arrogance on nerves: Zelensky refuses to take the memorandum of the Russian Federation seriously

The Ukrainian leader called further meetings with Russia in Istanbul meaningless.

Commenting on the situation in Ukraine, the Prime Minister noted that after the last meeting of the European Council, he did not see the EU's desire to seek an early end to the conflict.

On June 26, Fico said that sanctions against Russia, despite the fact that Europe is planning to introduce the 18th package of restrictions, are still not having the desired effect. In addition, he added that Ukraine is completely losing on the line of contact and this conflict can only be resolved through diplomacy.