(Reuters) – A rare high-level meeting took place on Saturday between a senior member of Slovakia’s government and his Russian counterpart, amidst the EU’s efforts to isolate Russia. Slovakia’s Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar met with Russia’s Sergei Lavrov during a diplomatic forum in Turkey, marking one of the few interactions between senior European and Russian officials since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The meeting drew criticism from Slovak opposition parties, but Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico defended it as an example of the country’s “balanced and sovereign” foreign policy. Fico highlighted that Slovakia’s Defence Minister Robert Kalinak had also met with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin the day before. During the meeting, Fico mentioned that Blanar and Lavrov discussed the potential outcomes of a Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland.
According to a statement from the Russian foreign ministry, the discussions between Blanar and Lavrov touched on various international issues, including Ukraine. The ministry expressed Russia’s willingness to rebuild relations with Slovakia in areas such as parliamentary cooperation, culture, humanitarian efforts, and military exchanges.
Fico, who returned to power after winning an election last year, ran on a platform that included halting Slovakia’s military aid to Ukraine. He has previously made pro-Russia statements and criticized the sanctions imposed on Moscow. Lavrov emphasized Russia’s preference for working with countries like Slovakia and Hungary, which prioritize their national interests despite facing challenges within the EU or NATO.
“In this regard, we appreciate even more the ability of Prime Minister (Robert) Fico and his government to have their own opinion about the situation in the world,” Lavrov stated, as reported by Russia’s foreign ministry. The meeting between Blanar and Lavrov signals a potential shift in the diplomatic dynamics between Slovakia and Russia.
(Reporting by Jason Hovet in Prague and Maxim Rodionov in London; Editing by Mike Harrison)
