Simecka: I'm Sad Talks with Putin Preceded Fico's Meeting with Zelenskyy

Bratislava, 5 September (TASR) – Leader of the opposition party Progressive Slovakia (PS) Michal Simecka warned that Friday’s meeting between Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is not taking place in a positive atmosphere. At a press conference on Friday, Simecka pointed out that the meeting was preceded by Fico's talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. „The Slovak prime minister not only displayed subservience to Vladimir Putin, but it seemed as if he was allowing Putin to dictate how to pressure Ukraine. I believe this created a very negative atmosphere before the meeting," said Simecka. He added that Ivan Korcok, a PS presidium member, even called the meeting with Putin a provocation. „So it is not a good moment or a good atmosphere for this meeting to take place," he remarked. Nevertheless, Simecka described the Fico-Zelenskyy meeting itself as the right step. „The fact that the Slovak prime minister had not been able to meet the Ukrainian president until now was shameful. So it is good that the meeting is taking place," he stated, expressing hope for a normalisation of Slovak-Ukrainian relations. „I firmly hope the Slovak side, especially Fico, will stop these diplomatic attacks on Ukraine," he added. Friday’s meeting between Fico and Zelenskyy is being held in Uzhhorod, Ukraine, with energy infrastructure expected to be the fulcrum of discussion. The Slovak delegation also includes Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Denisa Sakova (Voice–SD) and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD). mf/mcs