In January 2025, a six-member delegation of the Slovak Parliament, chaired by its vice-president, thighand to Moscow. This visit, as the leader of the Slovak National organization (SNS), Andrej Danko points out, aims to “pTo end average relations with Russia." This is another step towards closer relations between the 2 countries, following the fresh visit of Prime Minister Robert Fico to Russia.
Purpose of the visit and composition of delegations
The delegation, composed of MPs of 2 of the 3 government coalition parties – Direction (Smer), led by Prime Minister Fico, and SNS Andreja Danko – will meet with representatives of the Russian State Duma and the government. The main subject of the talks will be the supply of atomic fuel, which indicates the drive to strengthen energy cooperation.
Danko pointed out that "rebuilding average relations with Russia" is simply a precedence for Slovakia. All the more so, as a associate of the European Union, the country seeks to balance its cooperation within the EU and keep conventional relations with Russia.
Political context: Russia and Slovakia after the invasion of Ukraine
In December 2024, Prime Minister Robert Fico visited the Kremlin where he met Russian president Vladimir Putin. This was the second visit of the EU associate State leader to Moscow since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Fico, known for his pragmatic approach to abroad policy, declared that he wanted to reconstruct average relations with Russia after the conflict in Ukraine ended last October.
This political line, although controversial internationally, is in line with the interior strategy of the Slovak Government. Relations with Russia play an crucial function in the energy sector, peculiarly in the context of atomic fuel supply, on which the functioning of Slovak atomic power plants is based.
The importance of the visit to future relations
Andrej Danko's statements clearly indicate that Slovakia sees Russia as a key partner, despite the tense global situation. The visit has not only an economical dimension but besides a political dimension, signaling readiness to build bridges and conduct dialog in hard times.
However, the steps taken by Slovakia may be criticised by another members of the European Union, in peculiar those who support severe sanctions against Russia. The key question is: can Slovakia's initiative inspire another EU countries to do akin things or will it be perceived as a breach in European solidarity towards Russia's aggression against Ukraine?
Summary
The visit of the Slovak delegation to Moscow is simply a step that can affect the future of relations between Russia and the countries of the European Union. Its effects will depend on the content of talks and Slovakia's ability to keep a delicate balance between cooperation with Russia and compliance with EU abroad policy.
Can Slovakia be an example to another EU countries? The weeks ahead and the results of the planned visit will answer this question.
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"Strengthening dialogue". Slovakia parliamentary delegation to Moscow
