Russia: Putin Receives Slovak Premier Fico (2)

Moscow, 9 May (TASR) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday received Slovak Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) in the Kremlin, the only EU leader visiting the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, TASR has reported, referring to stories published by the TASS and AFP agencies. "I know there were some difficulties with your trip to Moscow. But the important thing is that you're here," Putin told Fico during the meeting. "We will do our utmost to meet Slovakia's energy needs," stated Putin. "We know about your interest in cooperation in certain areas, including the energy sector. We have just had an opportunity to speak privately, and I can say it here as well: we will do our best to meet the Slovak Republic's energy needs," said Putin, adding that Russia would also be ready to cooperate in other areas of mutual interest. Fico said during talks with the Russian president that it was a great honor for him to be present in Moscow for the Victory Day celebrations. "Allow me, on behalf of the Slovak government and the Slovak delegation present here, to congratulate you on the most significant state holiday, Victory Day. It is a great honor for me to be here in the Russian Federation during the celebration of this important day and date," said Fico. The Russian delegation attending the talks included Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, presidential aide Yury Ushakov, Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachev, Vice-premier Alexander Novak, and Education and Science Minister Valery Falkov. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov previously said that Fico could pass on a message to Putin from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whom the Slovak premier recently met. Putin and Fico also met at a reception in the Kremlin ahead of their talks, but according to Peskov, no message was conveyed there. "Everyone was at the reception, there were not many opportunities," Peskov told reporters. Fico was a sole EU leader to take part in the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow. However, he didn't attend a military parade held on Moscow's central Red Square. NOTE: This story has been extended to include paragraphs 3-6. ko