Zelenskyy: Slovakia supports Ukraine's progress on EU path

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in the city of Uzhhorod in western Ukraine. The two leaders held a joint press conference following their meeting. After the talks with Fico, Zelenskyy said, "We had a meaningful discussion.

It is important that this dialogue exists. We will continue it," he stated. In a statement released via social media, Zelenskyy added, "I informed him about our meeting yesterday with US President Donald Trump, our work with the leaders of the Coalition of Volunteers to advance peace, ensure Ukraine's security, and the architecture of European security.

Slovakia will not remain on the sidelines. The Prime Minister told me about his contacts in China. A separate and important topic was Europe's energy independence. Just like Russian gas, there is no future for Russian oil in Europe," he said.

Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine's European Union (EU) membership was also discussed during his meeting with Fico, stating, "Slovakia supports Ukraine's progress on its path to the EU. This is extremely important. We also share the view that Ukraine and Moldova should continue to move forward together on the path to EU membership," he said.

"WE DISCUSSED ENERGY-RELATED ISSUES"

The Ukrainian leader, speaking at the press conference following the meeting, which focused primarily on energy security and issues related to the war in Ukraine, said that Ukraine is ready to supply oil and natural gas to Slovakia. Following the meeting, which came after the Druzhba pipeline—a major oil supply channel for Hungary and Slovakia—was targeted multiple times in the past month, Zelenskyy said, "We discussed energy-related issues with Slovak Prime Minister Fico. We are ready to supply oil and gas to Slovakia, provided it is not Russian gas or Russian oil. Because we are in a state of war. That is the essence of the matter." Zelenskyy also stated that there are many alternatives to Russian energy and that they are ready to work in this direction, adding, "If it weren't for the difficulties caused by Russian attacks, we could have cooperated with Slovakia in this area. Before the Russian attacks on our energy system, we had an energy surplus at all times of the year. If there had been no attacks, we would have continued to work together," he said.

"SLOVAKIA IS A SMALL COUNTRY"

Slovak Prime Minister Fico stated that he has different views from Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, but that this does not hinder cooperation. The Slovak leader said that both Ukraine and Slovakia have the right to protect their own interests, but that they cannot do so at the expense of others' interests. Fico said, "You have the right to protect your own national interests, but we have that right as well."

Fico also expressed support for Ukraine finding a solution regarding security guarantees as soon as possible, stating, "However, Slovakia is a small country and cannot play a decisive role in this matter. On the other hand, we support all initiatives that will lead to a ceasefire and peace," he said.

Fico had met with Russian President Vladimir Putin last Tuesday as part of his contacts in China and had expressed strong reaction to attacks on his country's energy infrastructure. Fico had announced that he would bring this issue up during his meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on September 5.