MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Saturday, 6 September 2025 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Friday, 5 September): UZHHOROD/BRATISLAVA – Slovakia will make decisions in the sphere of energy that are in line with its sovereign national policy, Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) declared on Friday during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy following their meeting in Ukraine. According to Fico, cooperation between Slovakia and Ukraine plays a significant role in this context. The goal, he stated, is to develop a system that ensures each country receives secure and high-quality energy supplies at reasonable prices. At the same time, individual countries should avoid adopting measures that harm others. Fico conveyed to Zelenskyy that both Ukraine and Slovakia have the right to protect their national interests, but not at the expense of harming the interests of another country. „We will act with great sovereignty as the Slovak Republic, and, together with our Ukrainian partners, will seek solutions that are beneficial for the sovereign Slovak policy. But we do not want to be part of any games when it comes to energy — such as being told what we can or cannot do for political reasons. We will not play these games," Fico emphasised. The Slovak Prime Minister expressed confidence that ministers from both sides will cooperate intensively in addressing what he described as "enormous" energy challenges. President Zelenskyy stated at the press conference that Ukraine is ready to engage in joint projects with Slovakia, including oil and gas deliveries to Slovakia. However, he made it clear that this cannot include Russian oil or gas, as Ukraine is at war with Russia. „We are ready to ensure energy stability for Slovakia and other partners, and we want to pursue joint projects," Zelenskyy said. He added that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not truly interested in ending the war. If he were, Zelenskyy argued, he would not be demanding that Ukraine’s neighbours impose an energy blockade. In response, the Slovak Prime Minister denied that any energy blockade of Ukraine was discussed during talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. „Our discussions focused primarily on issues of bilateral cooperation between Slovakia and the Russian Federation. We have proposed a meeting of the joint commission, which normally convenes to address such issues," Fico stated. BRATISLAVA – President Peter Pellegrini considers Friday’s meeting in Uzhhorod between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) to be extremely important, describing it as a meeting between the two top executive leaders of the neighbouring countries, TASR learnt from the President Office's press department on the same day. Pellegrini stressed that maintaining good relations with neighbouring countries must remain a priority for Slovakia’s foreign policy. If tensions arise in such relations, the only way to resolve them is through open dialogue at the negotiating table. „The President welcomes that today’s meeting resulted in an agreement on another joint session of the Slovak and Ukrainian governments, which is a highly exceptional form of international cooperation and allows for addressing specific forms of Slovak support for Ukraine’s defence,” the press department added. Friday marked the first bilateral meeting between Fico and Zelenskyy on Ukrainian soil. The Slovak delegation also included Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Denisa Sakova (Voice–SD) and Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD). Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliya Svyrydenko accompanied President Zelenskyy. Fico met Zelenskyy shortly after returning from China, where he held bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday (2 September). The Slovak Prime Minister last visited Ukraine in October 2024, when a joint session of the Slovak and Ukrainian governments took place in Uzhhorod. UZHHOROD/BRATISLAVA – Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) expressed his wish to see good neighbourly, friendly, and “high-quality” ties with Ukraine, wishing Slovakia's eastern neighbour a just and lasting peace, as well as “very good” European prospects, TASR learnt after Fico's meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Uzhhorod on Friday. Fico conveyed his hopes that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would soon find a solution regarding security guarantees. „Slovakia, as a small country, cannot play a decisive role in this, but we support all initiatives that lead to a ceasefire and peace,” Fico said at a joint press conference with Zelenskyy. The Slovak Prime Minister stated that just as he listens to and respects Zelenskyy, he hopes the same will be reciprocated. „I very much welcome that we had the opportunity to speak face to face. We had the opportunity to clarify some matters and, in other cases, maintain our positions. I must confirm that we have differing views on some issues, but that’s the nature of the world,” he remarked. Fico identified four key elements he hopes for in Slovak–Ukrainian relations: good neighbourly and friendly ties, a just peace, the quickest possible ceasefire, and a European future for Ukraine. The two leaders also agreed to organise the fourth joint meeting of the Slovak and Ukrainian governments. Cabinet members from the two countries are scheduled to meet on 20 October in Slovakia. Fico underlined that EU membership involves a demanding and lengthy process. „I offered the President all the experience the Slovak government has at its disposal, as we made a number of fatal mistakes during our own accession process. Had we avoided them, our current position within the European Union could have been even stronger,” Fico added. According to Fico, Slovak–Ukrainian relations are a good example of how differing political views can sometimes overshadow the essence of cooperation. „I consider it very important that we agreed to stay in touch,” he said. “It is my belief that, step by step, despite the differences and occasional reproaches, the relations between Slovakia and Ukraine are destined for improvement and better quality,” said Fico. UZHHOROD/BRATISLAVA – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Friday, following a meeting with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico near Uzhhorod, that it would be right for Slovakia to become part of a new security system. Zelenskyy made the remark with respect to security guarantees for Ukraine, which are expected to be provided after peace is achieved by the so-called coalition of the willing. At a press conference on Friday, Zelenskyy said he and Fico had discussed Thursday's talks between leaders of the coalition of the willing and US President Trump. „We are working with our partners and we believe it would be right for Slovakia to also be part of this new security system,” said Zelenskyy. The Ukrainian President noted that this was his first meeting with Fico in Ukraine. He stressed the importance of maintaining dialogue and called for continued pragmatic cooperation with Slovakia at the level of ministers and institutions, not just leaders. Zelenskyy also thanked Slovakia for supporting Ukraine’s EU membership bid. The Ukrainian President further underlined that Russian oil and gas have no future, pointing to the current US administration's position on Russian energy supplies to Europe. „We are ready to ensure energy stability for Slovakia and other partners, and we want to develop joint projects. We have the single guiding principle – no to Russian energy sources,” declared Zelensky. The Ukrainian President expressed gratitude for Slovakia’s support of Ukraine’s bid to join the European Union. „Discussions on accession clusters are currently under way, and we consider EU membership to be part of our broader security guarantees. This view is also shared by European institutions, major European capitals, and we receive support in this regard from Washington as well. That is very important, and I also thank the Slovak Prime Minister for supporting Ukraine’s accession to the EU," Zelenskyy stated. He also highlighted ongoing cooperation with Slovakia in the fields of economy and infrastructure, mentioning cross-border movement projects and the expansion of border capacity. The President pointed to electricity supplies from Slovakia to Ukraine, as Kiev continues to face Russian drone and missile attacks. He also recalled the integration of Ukrainian railways into the European network. „There are thousands of similar projects ahead of us. Ukraine will certainly be a part of the European Union," he declared. BRATISLAVA – 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). UZHHOROD/BRATISLAVA – Slovak Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Juraj Blanar held talks on Friday in Ukraine with his Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Sybiha, with the meeting taking place alongside discussions between Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy near Uzhhorod, TASR learnt from the ministry's press department on the same day. Blanar confirmed Slovakia’s support for Ukraine on its path to European Union membership. In the bilateral meeting, Blanar emphasised the importance of substantive and constructive dialogue, noting that Prime Minister Fico had previously extended such an offer to President Zelenskyy. „That is why I view today’s talks very positively. Diplomacy is about leading discussions and dialogue even when we do not see eye to eye on every issue," the minister said. According to Blanar, Slovakia is committed to the goal of peace in Ukraine and to having a secure, developing, and prosperous neighbour. He stressed that the Slovak government consistently advocates for a diplomatic resolution to the war in Ukraine at all levels. Reaffirming Slovakia’s support for Ukraine’s EU ambitions, Blanar noted that while the accession process and meeting the requirements of various chapters will not be easy – and may even be painful for Ukraine – Slovakia is ready to share its experience from its own EU integration. He added that Slovakia will not support the so-called decoupling – the separation of Ukraine and Moldova in the EU integration process – unless there are compelling reasons and the issue is formally raised. The ministers also discussed energy security, a key issue on the agenda of the leaders’ meeting, as well as infrastructure projects outlined in the joint Road Map. Consular matters were addressed, too. Blanar welcomed the opening of the Ukrainian Honorary Consulate in Presov and confirmed Slovakia’s support for establishing more consulates to serve Ukrainian citizens in Slovakia. After more than a decade of negotiations, Slovakia and Ukraine have reached an agreement on a new treaty concerning the mutual settlement of diplomatic property in Bratislava and Kiev. The ministers indicated the treaty could be signed during the next joint government meeting, tentatively planned for late October in Sobrance, eastern Slovakia. mf