Slovakia emerges as potential site for Russia-Ukraine peace talks
Vladimir Putin stated that Robert Fico indicated Slovakia as a potential host for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. Putin does not rule out such a solution.
Many pieces of information provided by Russian media or government representatives are elements of propaganda. Such reports are part of the information war conducted by the Russian Federation.
Robert Fico made such a proposal during his Sunday visit to the Kremlin. "We are not against such a solution. Why not? Since Slovakia has taken a neutral position," declared Putin. During a press conference after the Eurasian Economic Council meeting, the Russian president revealed that any potential talks would take place after the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
Meeting after years
Putin's comments appeared after the Sunday meeting with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico at the Kremlin on December 22nd. According to Fico, the meeting was business-oriented, discussing gas supplies after Kyiv announced it would not extend the transit agreement for Russian gas to Europe beyond December 31st. However, Putin did not hide that one of the main topics was the war in Ukraine and potential peace talks.
The visit of the Slovak leader met with sharp criticism from EU and Ukrainian officials, and President Volodymyr Zelensky called Fico's pro-Russian energy policy a "major security problem" for Slovakia and Europe.
Talks behind Kyiv's back?
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that France had contacted Moscow several times regarding Ukraine, allegedly emphasizing "without involving the authorities in Kyiv." "Through closed channels, our French colleagues contacted us. By the way, without Ukraine," Lavrov, quoted by the pro-Kremlin agency RIA Novosti, said.
The head of Russian diplomacy's words were met with a decisive reaction from France. One official, cited by Politico, stated that "Russian authorities are accustomed to making immoderate statements aimed at manipulating the aggression for which they bear full responsibility." "If Russia wants peace, it must end the war itself," he assured, adding that "France has accepted the peace formula proposed by Ukraine."
Source: The Kyiv Independent, RIA Novosti, WP Wiadomości
