Phone Call Between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Robert Fico
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico spoke by phone, focusing on strengthening bilateral ties and Ukraine’s European integration path. Fico reaffirmed his support for Ukraine’s membership in the European Union, a key development for future cooperation between the two nations. This conversation comes amid Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to align with EU standards and secure broader regional backing.
Zelenskyy stated: 'I just spoke with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. Strong relations between our countries are essential, and we are both committed to that. It was important to hear that Slovakia supports Ukraine’s EU membership and is ready to share its own accession experience.'
The discussion signals a mutual intent to deepen collaboration across multiple areas, particularly in the context of European integration.
Exchange of Invitations and Next Steps
The leaders also exchanged invitations for visits: Zelenskyy invited Fico to Kyiv, while Fico extended an invitation for Zelenskyy to come to Bratislava. They explored the possibility of an in-person meeting in the near future, which could further solidify Ukraine-Slovakia relations. 'Our teams will work on the schedule,' Zelenskyy added.
This report is based on information from Glavcom, citing Zelenskyy. Separately, the Ukrainian president also commented on the latest act of Russian terror in Kherson, where an enemy FPV drone struck civilian transport.
Strengthening ties between Ukraine and Slovakia matters not only for Ukraine’s EU aspirations but also for broader regional security. As a neighboring EU member, Slovakia can serve as a crucial partner in supporting Ukraine’s European integration. High-level visits between the two leaders could foster further cooperation in areas such as:
- economy
- security
- humanitarian issues
As Ukraine strengthens its ties with Slovakia, the situation is further complicated by concerns over the rule of law in the region. The European Parliament's recent call to freeze EU funds for Slovakia highlights the challenges that may arise in the context of Fico's leadership, potentially impacting the support Slovakia can provide to Ukraine's EU aspirations.