Meeting with Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Prime Minister,

Allow me to once again extend a warm welcome to Moscow. We met here last year on this special occasion marking the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory, and we are grateful that you have chosen to join us again today.

I know that, just as last time, there were certain difficulties related to your trip to Moscow. You mentioned a moment ago that this time it was somewhat easier. But most importantly, you are here, and we sincerely appreciate it.

Your unwavering stance on preserving the historical truth about the events of the Second World War and the Red Army's role in liberating Europe from Nazism is highly commendable. I would also note that Slovak fighters resisting the forces of Nazi Germany also made a contribution to achieving the Great Victory. We remember the Slovak National Uprising of August 29, 1944.

We are grateful to the leadership and the people of Slovakia for their careful attention to the monuments and burial sites of Soviet soldiers who fell fighting the Nazis on Slovak soil. I understand that the official opening of the Central Military Memorial Cemetery of the Red Army in Michalovce is expected soon. Thank you very much for giving this matter such attention.

For many years, including during your previous terms as Prime Minister, relations between Russia and Slovakia were marked by active political dialogue and steady cooperation. Of course, we understand that the current situation has been complicated by developments surrounding Ukraine and the broader foreign policy climate, including the confrontational approach that, in our view, is being imposed by both the EU and NATO. At the same time, your Government is seeking to pursue an independent foreign policy and maintain a pragmatic approach towards Russia. We welcome the gradual restoration of bilateral cooperation, which had effectively been frozen under the previous Slovak authorities.

Unfortunately, our trade turnover declined both last year and this year, and we see the reasons behind this trend. We hope that your visit today will help us identify practical steps to restore and further expand our economic cooperation.

We are aware of Slovakia's interest in working together in a number of specific areas, including energy. We just had the opportunity to talk to you face to face, and I can say it here as well: we are going to to do everything possible to meet the energy needs of the Slovak Republic and to continue cooperation in all other areas of mutual interest.

Thank you.

Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico Fico RobertPrime Minister of Slovakia (retranslated): Mr President,

Ladies and gentlemen,

First of all, on behalf of the Slovak delegation, I would like to express our gratitude for the welcome and hospitality, the traditional Russian hospitality.

Allow me on behalf of the Government of the Slovak Republic and the Slovak delegation present here to congratulate you on the most significant state holiday - Victory Day. It is a great honour for me to be here, in the Russian Federation, for the celebrations of this meaningful day and date.

History has united us very tightly, and I do reject distortions of historical facts. I support the idea of sovereign Slovak policy extended towards anyone interested in having normal, standard friendly relations with the Slovak Republic. People in Slovakia know very well that it was not only the direct assistance provided during the Slovak National Uprising in 1944, but also the sacrifice of tens of thousands of Red Army soldiers who are buried in cemeteries across the Slovak Republic. Therefore, I want to once again express the commitment by the Slovak Republic: we will tend to the cemeteries and take care of them.

My previous and today's visit to Moscow is a sign of respect for the victims of the Second World War and the fact that the peoples of the Soviet Union suffered most during WWII and in the struggle against Nazism.

I am very happy, Mr President, that you mentioned the town of Michalovce. It is not only this town; Slovakia has dozens of military cemeteries where Red Army soldiers are buried as well as Romanian army's soldiers who also took part in the liberation. That's why I am happy to tell you, Mr President, that we have delivered on the commitment to renovate the military cemetery in Michalovce, and I will personally attend its opening soon. It concerns all the sites where WWII victims are buried. I believe that any citizen of your country who visits Slovakia and sees these places will understand the importance of what we are doing. Once again, let me congratulate you on this remarkable holiday.

I would like to use this opportunity, Mr President, and discuss some serious issues concerning our countries. I do not say different things publicly and in private discussions. I see we are having an "iron curtain" falling again while I support mutually beneficial friendly relations. I firmly believe that both Slovakia and the Russian Federation can make a few steps shortly that will be aimed at restoring normal relations.

We are in a situation whereby we get considerable energy resources from you. I am talking about natural gas via the TurkStream as well as oil via the Druzhba pipeline. But our cooperation cannot be limited to this area. That's why I intend to provide you with information on where we are regarding the intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation and which steps we have taken. We have reappointed military attaches here in Moscow, and there have been practical efforts related to the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Bratislava.

I highly appreciate that we will be able to exchange important information in this broader format.

Once again, thank you and please receive my congratulations.

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