- Ukraine suggested a visit to Robert Fico for negotiations on March 6 or 9.
- The dates of the visit are related to their Friday phone call.
- Robert Fico and Viktor Orbán propose an inspection group to check the condition of the Družba pipeline.
- Fico accepted the invitation to negotiate with Zelensky, but prefers a meeting in the European Union.
- Oil has not been flowing from Russia through Druzhba to Slovakia and Hungary for more than a month.
Ukraine proposed specific dates for his visit to the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic, Robert Fico to negotiations “on all issues”, which were discussed by phone on Friday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. They could take place on March 6 or 9, writes TASR.
“Ukraine proposed to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico specific dates for his visit to Ukraine – March 6 or 9 – to discuss all issues, as agreed during the phone call between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Prime Minister Fico,” wrote the office of the President of Ukraine on the X social network.
During a phone call, Fico announced to the Ukrainian president that together with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, proposes the establishment of an inspection group that would assess the condition of the Družba pipeline. It should be composed of experts nominated by the European Commission and member countries. He also admitted a personal meeting.
He also confirmed the invitation to joint negotiations by the Ukrainian head of state. “I accepted this invitation and asked the Government Office of the Slovak Republic and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic to find a suitable date for such a meeting in cooperation with the Ukrainian side, while I prefer a meeting with the Ukrainian president on the territory of one of the EU member states that the Ukrainian president visits intensively,” wrote Fico on the social network.
Oil from Russia has not flowed through the Druzhba pipeline to Hungary and Slovakia since January 27. According to Ukraine, the reason is the Russian attack on the oil pipeline facility in the city of Brody in the Lviv region. Orbán and Fico suspect Kyiv of political blackmail and interference in the election campaign in Hungary. Ukraine denies this and says it is working to repair damaged infrastructure.
