Fico Says Dialogue With Zelensky Continues Despite Differing Views

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico says dialogue with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is ongoing, even as the two leaders hold differing positions on key issues. Fico, who leads Smer-SD, the dominant party in Slovakia's ruling coalition and known for its skeptical stance toward Western military support for Ukraine, expressed appreciation for the mutual dialogue with Zelensky. The relationship between the two leaders has been strained in recent months, with Fico opposing continued military aid to Ukraine and advocating for a negotiated end to the conflict — positions that have put him at odds not only with Kyiv but also with many of Slovakia's European Union partners. Despite these tensions, Fico indicated that communication between the two sides remains open.