Zelensky: Slovakia's Fico made 'mistake' in dealing with Moscow

A controversial trip to Moscow by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has prompted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to further criticize his neighbour.

"It was a clear mistake for Fico to believe that he could continue his shady dealings with Moscow indefinitely," Zelensky said in a post on social media platform X on Sunday.

Zelensky's account of events is as follows: Before the Russian gas transit through Ukraine was halted, Kiev wanted to help Slovakia, but Fico "arrogantly denied" this offer, despite being warned by many European politicians.

Now he is trying "to shift the blame onto others with PR, lies and loud accusations," Zelensky wrote.

"But the problem is that he bet on Moscow, not on his country, not on a united Europe and not on common sense," Zelensky said. "It was a failed bet from the start."

Fico travelled to Moscow shortly before Christmas and spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the possibility of supplying Slovakia with Russian natural gas.

Kiev allowed the transit contract with Europe to expire at the turn of the year so as not to give Moscow any more money for its war chest.

On Friday evening, thousands of people protested in 15 Slovakian cities against the Ukraine policy of the left-wing nationalist Fico. They accused him of a pro-Russian course and of "betraying" Western allies and neighbouring Ukraine, which is being attacked by Russia.

The organizers of the demonstration criticized Fico's trip to Moscow as "submission" to Russian interests.