Russian President Vladimir Putin used his meeting with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to advance a campaign aimed at undermining Western unity in support of Ukraine, reports the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Ukraine offered compensation to Slovakia amid the suspension of Russian gas transit. However, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico rejected the proposal, according to the evening address of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Monday blasted Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico over his reluctance to end his country's dependency on Russian gas, calling it a "big security issue" for Europe and saying Fico declined compensation.

Despite the relatively high casualty rate, Zelensky added that North Korea might send even more resources to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin’s armies.

President Zelensky's firm stance on stopping cheap Russian gas flow sparks tensions with Slovakia and Hungary. Explore the potential impacts on energy supply.

“While other countries of the world are celebrating Christmas, Ukrainians are continuing to suffer from endless Russian attacks,” Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets wrote on Telegram.

Fico is the third EU leader, after Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, to meet with Putin since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. #Euro

Slovak PM Robert Fico made a surprise visit to Moscow for gas talks with Putin, discussing Ukraine conflict, peace prospects.

Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico warned of a gas crisis on Friday as Ukraine continued to reject extending the transit of natural gas through its territory after a contract expires at the end of the year.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is holding talks with Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico in Moscow, state TV channel Rossiya 24 reported.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico held discussions in Moscow concerning the impending expiration of the gas transit agreement between Russia and Ukraine, set to conclude on 31,