Russian President Vladimir Putin said today that Slovakia has offered to provide a platform for possible peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, TASS reported, quoted by BTA.
According to Putin, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico offered during his visit to Moscow that his country provide a venue for the talks. The president described the offer as an "acceptable solution" and praised Slovakia's "neutral position". "We are not against it", he added at a press conference.
Robert Fico, who has headed the Slovak government since the fall of 2023, is one of the few European leaders to have maintained ties with the Kremlin. His visit to Moscow on December 22 is among the rare meetings between high-ranking EU officials and the Russian leader, and is drawing attention amid a policy of isolation from the West. Fico opposes military support for Ukraine and insists on peace talks, blaming Kiev for possible disruptions in Russian gas supplies to Slovakia.
Less than a month before Donald Trump's possible return to the White House, the issue of ending the conflict in Ukraine is being raised. Trump, promising to restore peace "within 24 hours", has called for an immediate ceasefire and new talks.
However, Putin stressed that Russia's goals in Ukraine remain paramount and warned of his readiness to use the latest generation missiles, such as the "Oreshnik" again. He threatened direct strikes on countries that supply Ukraine with weapons, citing the attack with this missile in November as a response to Ukrainian strikes with American and British missiles.