Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has once again demonstrated his government’s divergence from the European Union’s common stance on Russia. Speaking in Beijing during a meeting with President Vladimir Putin, Fico said Slovakia seeks to “normalize relations” with Moscow and is increasing imports of Russian gas via the TurkStream pipeline.
His remarks come at a sensitive moment, as the EU remains committed to phasing out Russian fossil fuel imports by 2027 in response to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Energy has long been Russia’s most significant economic lever in Europe, and the EU’s move to reduce reliance on it was meant to weaken the Kremlin’s financial base. But countries such as Slovakia and Hungary — both heavily dependent on Russian energy — have resisted, arguing that alternatives would impose unsustainable costs on their economies.
The meeting between Fico and Putin was held on the sidelines of commemorations in China marking the end of World War II. The setting itself highlighted Russia’s attempt to showcase enduring global partnerships, even as much of Europe continues to isolate Moscow.
Slovakia’s Energy Dependence
Energy is at the heart of Slovakia’s balancing act. According to data from Slovak transit operator EUstream, the country imported about 1.7 billion cubic meters of Russian gas through Hungary so far this year, using the TurkStream route. That pipeline remains one of Moscow’s last operational conduits to Europe after the Nord Stream 1 sabotage in September 2022 and the suspension of gas transit through Ukraine in early 2024.
Plans are already underway to expand Hungary-Slovakia gas flow capacity from 3.5 to 4.4 billion cubic meters annually, deepening reliance on TurkStream. In his meeting with Putin, Fico thanked Russia for providing “safe and regular gas supplies,” signaling confidence in the arrangement despite the EU’s broader sanctions framework.
Beyond gas, Slovakia is also exploring nuclear cooperation with Russia. Fico revealed that Russian firms could participate in a new nuclear power plant project, even though the government had previously awarded the contract to the U.S. firm Westinghouse. This dual-track approach underscores Slovakia’s desire to balance Western partnerships with practical engagement with Moscow.
A Reopening Toward Russia
Fico’s announcement that Slovakia has resumed issuing visas to Russian citizens, a service halted after the Ukraine invasion, marks another symbolic step toward restoring ties. For Moscow, such measures offer evidence that some EU states are willing to soften restrictions.
The Slovak leader also suggested that Bratislava wants to return to “typical economic cooperation,” reviving trade and investment links severed after 2022. This puts Slovakia in line with Hungary’s long-standing push to maintain warm ties with Russia, often in defiance of Brussels.
Impacts and Political Fallout
Fico’s stance risks creating deeper fractures within the EU. Brussels has struggled to maintain unity on sanctions and energy diversification, and Slovakia’s decision to prioritize cheap Russian energy may embolden other skeptical member states. Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has already clashed repeatedly with the EU over sanctions, and Slovakia’s position strengthens this Eastern European bloc of resistance.
Domestically, Fico’s populist rhetoric aligns with his promise to shield Slovak households and industries from high energy costs. However, it also raises concerns about Slovakia drifting from mainstream EU policy at a time when solidarity with Ukraine is considered a strategic priority in Brussels.
Ukraine is watching closely. Fico is scheduled to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Uzhhorod on Friday, where discussions will likely include the recent Ukrainian strikes on infrastructure that disrupted Russian oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline, temporarily halting deliveries to Slovakia and Hungary. The juxtaposition of meetings with both Putin and Zelensky in the same week highlights Fico’s attempt to straddle two irreconcilable positions.
Commentary
Observers say Slovakia’s approach reflects both economic pragmatism and political opportunism. For a small, energy-dependent country, the lure of cheap Russian gas remains strong. At the same time, Fico’s alignment with Moscow provides him with domestic political capital, reinforcing his image as a leader unafraid to defy Brussels.
Yet critics warn that such a path risks undermining EU solidarity and inadvertently strengthening Russia’s hand at a time when the war in Ukraine shows no sign of resolution. Energy dependence has historically been one of Moscow’s most powerful tools in Europe, and Slovakia’s expanded reliance could limit its political flexibility in the future.
Future Outlook
Looking forward, Slovakia faces a delicate balancing act. Expanding energy ties with Russia may offer short-term relief from high prices, but it also exposes the country to long-term vulnerabilities, particularly if geopolitical tensions intensify. EU leaders are unlikely to ignore Bratislava’s divergence, and pressure may mount for stricter enforcement of the bloc’s energy diversification policies.
At the same time, Fico’s willingness to engage with both Putin and Zelensky suggests he sees a role for Slovakia as a potential mediator in the conflict — though such ambitions may be limited by the perception that Bratislava is too close to Moscow.
The next two years will be crucial. If Slovakia and Hungary continue deepening their energy reliance on Russia, they could carve out a semi-autonomous path within the EU. But the cost may be growing isolation from Western Europe, making Bratislava’s gamble one with significant risks as well as potential rewards.
