Zelensky's Office Proposes Fico to Hold Talks in Ukraine on 6 or 9 March

Kiev/Bratislava, 2 March (TASR) - Ukraine has proposed specific dates to Slovak Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) for his visit to hold talks on all issues that he discussed by phone last Friday (27 February) with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The meeting could take place either 6 March or 9 March. "Ukraine has offered Slovak Premier Robert Fico specific dates for his visit to Ukraine – 6 or 9 March – to discuss all outstanding issues, as agreed in a telephone conversation between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Premier Fico," Ukraine's Presidential Office has posted on a social network. Fico announced in a phone call with the Ukrainian president that he and Hungarian premier Viktor Orban are proposing to set up an inspection group to examine the condition of the Druzhba oil pipeline. The group should be composed of experts nominated by the European Commission and member states. Fico also admitted to meeting with Zelenskyy. The Slovak premier also confirmed that the Ukrainian head of state had sent an invitation to a joint meeting. "I accepted this invitation and asked the Government Office and the Foreign Affairs Ministry to work with the Ukrainian side to find a suitable date for such a meeting, while I prefer to meet with the Ukrainian president in one of the EU member states that the Ukrainian president visits frequently," he wrote on a social network. Russian oil hasn't been flowing through the Druzhba pipeline to Hungary and Slovakia since 27 January. According to Ukraine, the reason is a Russian attack on a pipeline facility in the town of Brody in Lviv region. Orban and Fico suspect Kiev of political blackmail and of interfering in the election campaign in Hungary. Ukraine rejects this and says it is working to repair the damaged infrastructure. ko