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Zelenskyy and Slovak PM Fico Back Ukraine’s EU Bid, Pledge Energy Cooperation
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico on September 5, announcing Slovakia’s Bratislava’s support for Ukraine’s EU integration and new energy cooperation agreements.
Zelenskyy described the talks with the Slovak leader as “substantive” and stressed the importance of continuing dialogue.
“Slovakia supports Ukraine on its path to the European Union. This is very important. We also see equally that Ukraine and Moldova must continue moving together toward EU membership,” the president said.
Zelenskyy also emphasized Kyiv’s readiness to contribute to Slovakia’s energy security:
“We are ready to ensure energy stability for Slovakia, as well as for other partners. And we want to have joint projects. We have one principle—no to Russian energy resources,” he said during a joint press conference.
In response, Fico affirmed Slovakia’s support for peace efforts and offered to share the country’s EU integration experience with Ukraine
“I wish for a good, just peace. I wish to find a solution on security guarantees as soon as possible. In this, Slovakia, as a small country, cannot play a decisive role, but we support all initiatives that lead to a ceasefire. All initiatives that lead to peace,” he stated.
Fico noted his agreement with Zelenskyy’s peace formula and other related initiatives, adding that Ukraine’s accession process to the EU could be challenging. However, he confirmed that Bratislava is ready to provide its expertise.
Zelenskyy also stressed the importance of Europe’s energy future, noting that the United States attaches great significance to the issue of Europe’s energy independence under President Trump. He emphasized that Europe must respond collectively, insisting that Russian oil and gas have no future. According to him, if America maintains its current level of resolve, it will bring about a tangible shift in the situation and serve as a factor that guarantees Russia will not wage war.
He also added that Ukraine will continue to respond to Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure:
“Ukraine is responding to Russian strikes on our energy facilities and will continue to respond. But we very much want this war to end. Yet no one will simply endure in darkness,” Zelenskyy said.
Earlier, EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen said that even once peace is restored, Europe must not return to importing Russian energy. He added that he will meet next week with US energy security official Chris Wright to continue discussions on the issue.
