'It smells like treason' In Slovakia's capital, Bratislava, people took to the streets to protest after the meeting, with banners in support of Ukraine as well as unflattering depictions of Mr Fico on display. One sign simply read: "It smells like treason."

Despite the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 being denounced widely by both the EU and NATO, Prime Minister Fico sensationally claimed this week that Putin had been "wrongly demonised" by the West.

And yet, when the town’s residents cast their ballots in last month’s presidential election, they overwhelmingly voted for Călin Georgescu, the candidate who showed every sign of being the preferred choice of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico has made a surprise visit to Moscow for talks with Vladimir Putin - becoming only the third Western leader to meet the Russian leader since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago.

Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry has stated that the weakness, dependence and short-sightedness of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's energy policy pose threats to the whole of Europe. Source: The ministry's response to Fico's talks with Russian ruler Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin,

Russian President Vladimir Putin has held talks in the Kremlin with Slovakia’s prime minister, Robert Fico, in a rare visit to Moscow by an EU leader since Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Slovakian prime minister Robert Fico of helping Vladimir Putin finance his war in Ukraine. The Slovak leader met with the Russian president in Moscow on Sunday as part of his country's bid to ensure their access to Russia supplied energy,

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday hosted Slovakia’s prime minister, Robert Fico, in a rare visit to the Kremlin by an EU leader since Moscow’s all-out invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Slovakia’s prime minister held surprise talks with Vladimir Putin on Sunday amid a stand-off with Ukraine over gas supplies.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday accused Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico of wanting to "help" President Vladimir Putin