European Security — 2026-05-09

Slovak PM Fico Visits Moscow as Only EU Leader to Meet Putin

Putin received Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico at the Kremlin on May 9, the only EU leader present for Victory Day, per The Manila Times and Pravda Germany. Several European states denied Fico's aircraft overflight rights, per Manila Times; Fico told Putin he transited via Germany and the Czech Republic, per Pravda Germany. Putin, per The Manila Times, welcomed "the gradual resumption of bilateral cooperation" and pledged to meet Slovakia's energy needs; Fico said the visit honored "victims of the Second World War" and called for normal Europe-Russia relations. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized the visit; Fico did not attend the parade, having laid flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Friday.

Analysis
Fico's second consecutive Victory Day visit to Moscow, despite overflight denials from EU neighbors, confirms Russia holds a working diplomatic channel into the bloc through a government willing to absorb political costs. Putin's pledge to cover Slovakia's energy needs signals Moscow treats the channel as a lever for fracturing EU consensus on Ukraine. A formal European Council censure is unlikely by the late-June 2026 summit, given the EU's consensus structure and Fico's demonstrated readiness to block EU-level measures. The visit may serve primarily as domestic theater projecting independence from Brussels, but the energy pledge suggests the relationship carries material stakes. Confidence is low; no reporting has surfaced on closed EU deliberations.

5 sources

Slovak PM Fico meets Putin in Moscow - BBC News
Putin receives Slovak PM Fico in Kremlin for Russia's Victory Day - The Manila Times
Vladimir Putin has started a meeting with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in the Kremlin - Pravda Germany
Talks between Putin and Fico started in Moscow - Liveuamap
Foreign guests for Victory Day in Moscow, Putin schedule: statements by Kremlin aide - TASS