Russian President Vladimir Putin has held talks in the Kremlin with Slovakia’s prime minister, Robert Fico, in a rare visit to Moscow by an EU leader since Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The German press has sharply criticised Prime Minister Robert Fico's visit to Russia, accusing him of acting to Slovakia's detriment. The politics of Slovakia and Hungary could threaten EU unity, which is particularly significant in the context of Donald Trump's presidency.

Zelensky called Fico's pro-Russian energy policy "a big security issue" for Slovakia and Europe, asking: "Why is this leader so dependent on Moscow? What is being paid to him, and what does he pay with?