Fico to Meet Magyar and Zelensky Ahead of European Council Summit

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is set to meet with opposition leader Péter Magyar and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky before the upcoming European Council summit, where EU heads of state and government gather to set the bloc's political direction. Fico plans to propose the establishment of a direct communication channel between Russia and Ukraine at the summit, positioning Slovakia as a potential mediator in the ongoing war. The planned meeting with Zelensky is notable given the strained relations between the two leaders — Fico has been a vocal critic of continued Western military support for Ukraine and has maintained dialogue with Moscow, drawing sharp criticism from EU partners and domestic opponents. Péter Magyar leads Progresívne Slovensko-aligned opposition forces and has emerged as one of the most prominent critics of Fico's pro-Kremlin foreign policy stance. The back-to-back meetings underscore the deepening divide within Slovakia over the country's approach to the war in Ukraine, with Fico seeking to carve out a distinctive diplomatic role while facing significant pressure at home and abroad.