Russian President Vladimir Putin used his meeting with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to advance a campaign aimed at undermining Western unity in support of Ukraine, reports the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Ukraine offered compensation to Slovakia amid the suspension of Russian gas transit. However, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico rejected the proposal, according to the evening address of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

President Zelensky's firm stance on stopping cheap Russian gas flow sparks tensions with Slovakia and Hungary. Explore the potential impacts on energy supply.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Monday blasted Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico over his reluctance to end his country's dependency on Russian gas, calling it a "big security issue" for Europe and saying Fico declined compensation.

“While other countries of the world are celebrating Christmas, Ukrainians are continuing to suffer from endless Russian attacks,” Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets wrote on Telegram.

Fico is the third EU leader, after Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, to meet with Putin since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. #Euro

Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico warned of a gas crisis on Friday as Ukraine continued to reject extending the transit of natural gas through its territory after a contract expires at the end of the year.

Slovak PM Robert Fico made a surprise visit to Moscow for gas talks with Putin, discussing Ukraine conflict, peace prospects.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is holding talks with Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico in Moscow, state TV channel Rossiya 24 reported.

The Ukrainian president criticized Slovakia's leader Robert Fico for making "shadow agreements" with Russia's Vladimir Putin.