A delegation of far-right Slovak lawmakers traveled to Moscow on Jan. 12 to engage in talks with Russian officials regarding the continuation of Russian gas supplies and other bilateral matters, according to the Slovak news agency TASR.
The visit follows Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Dec. 22.
Leading the delegation are Andrej Danko, chair of the co-ruling far-right Slovak National Party (SNS) and deputy speaker of parliament, along with Tibor Gašpar, a member of Fico’s Smer-SD party, TASR reported.
Danko, known for his pro-Russian stance, stated on Jan. 5 that the visit aims to “restore some relations with Russia.” He also alleged that Poland denied the delegation’s flight access to its airspace, forcing the plane to reroute through Czechia and Germany.
“I don’t understand Poland’s position, but I accept it as reality,” Danko remarked.
While in Moscow, the Slovak delegation plans to meet with members of the Russian State Duma and other government officials. Gašpar noted that discussions will include the possibility of Russia’s state-owned energy giant Gazprom continuing to supply gas to Slovakia, despite Ukraine halting the transit of Russian gas through its territory.
The stoppage of gas flows via Ukraine has strained relations between Kyiv and Bratislava. Prime Minister Fico, who has criticized military aid to Ukraine and sanctions against Russia, has warned of potential cuts to Slovakia’s energy and humanitarian support after the gas transit agreement expired.
Despite the European Union’s broader push to reduce reliance on Russian fossil fuels following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, countries like Slovakia and Hungary remain heavily dependent on Russian energy.
The delegation is expected to return to Slovakia on Jan. 15.
