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Slovakia's Fico rejects EU gas import ban at talks with Putin

Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico has reiterated his rejection of an EU-wide ban on Russian gas imports at a meeting in the Moscow with President Vladimir Putin.

Fico described a corresponding proposal by the EU Commission in Moscow as "economically untenable and harmful to Europe," a spokesman for the left-wing nationalist politician said following Friday's talks between the leaders.

Slovakia is a member of both the European Union and NATO.

Fico reportedly threatened to veto a unanimous decision in the EU to end Russian gas imports. However, if a qualified majority is sought, small member states such as Slovakia could be outvoted.

The EU Commission wants to completely ban the import of Russian gas by the end of 2027.

At his meeting with Putin, the prime minister also spoke in favour of Slovakia continuing to purchase nuclear fuel elements from Russia.

This was "unavoidable" for the "safe and stable operation" of Slovakia's nuclear power plants, he said.

Fico was the only EU head of government to travel to Moscow to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

According to his spokesman, the one-on-one consultations with Putin also focused on developments in the Ukraine war.

Fico again stressed his view that there is no military solution to the conflict and that he supports all peace initiatives, regardless of which country they come from.

On Saturday, Ukraine offered Russia a 30-day ceasefire, to start Monday. That announcement came as leaders of Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Poland visited Ukraine to show their support for the embattled country, which Russia invaded in 2022.