Putin Discusses Ukraine, Ties with Slovak PM in China

(MENAFN) Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in China on Tuesday, focusing on the ongoing Ukraine conflict, energy partnerships, and bilateral relations, according to Russian news outlets.

During his four-day visit to China from August 31 to September 3, Putin framed the Ukraine war as a consequence of a Western-supported coup in Kyiv, asserting Moscow was “forced to protect people who linked their fate with Russia.”

Addressing concerns about Russian aggression in Europe, Putin dismissed such allegations as “hysteria” propagated by the West. He also acknowledged Russia’s long endurance of Ukrainian attacks on energy infrastructure before finally retaliating.

Clarifying Moscow’s stance on Ukraine’s geopolitical alignment, Putin emphasized that Russia does not oppose Ukraine joining the European Union but firmly rejects its accession to NATO.

On nuclear safety, Putin confirmed Russia’s willingness to collaborate with U.S. officials regarding security at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant.

Putin told Fico, “We greatly appreciate the independent foreign policy that you, your team, your government are pursuing. It produces positive results, especially in economic indicators,” emphasizing Russia’s role as a dependable energy supplier to Slovakia.

Prime Minister Fico expressed eagerness to restore normal relations with Moscow, proposing a joint commission meeting to deepen cooperation. He also committed to maintaining military graves and voiced concerns about Ukrainian strikes on oil infrastructure.

“On Friday I will have a meeting with the president of Ukraine in Uzhgorod. I will raise this issue very seriously. Because it is impossible for such attacks to be carried out on infrastructure that is very important to us,” Fico stated.

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