Zelenskyy and Fico to Meet in Ukraine, Discussing Fate of 'Druzhba' Pipeline.

Phone Call Between Leaders of Ukraine and Slovakia

According to UATV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico held a phone call to discuss the situation surrounding the 'Druzhba' oil pipeline. Following their conversation, the two leaders agreed to hold an in-person meeting in Ukraine. While Fico accepted the invitation, he expressed reservations about the possibility of holding talks in another country.

After the call, Fico claimed that Ukraine allegedly showed no interest in restoring the pipeline's operations. Commenting on this, Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated:

"We agreed to a meeting; I invited him to Ukraine" - Volodymyr Zelenskyy

He also expressed confusion regarding the reaction to the possibility of meeting elsewhere: "I didn't quite understand, to be honest, the reaction that we are ready to meet in another country."

Prospects for a Personal Meeting

Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of a face-to-face meeting between the leaders, stating:

"We need to communicate not on social networks, but simply to come and have a result from our meeting" - Volodymyr Zelenskyy

For his part, Fico has instructed Slovakia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to find a suitable date for the talks. This conversation and the planned meeting signal a continuation of dialogue between Ukraine and Slovakia on critical economic matters. The Druzhba pipeline is a major conduit for Russian oil into Central Europe, making its status a significant geopolitical and energy security issue.

A meeting between Zelenskyy and Fico could mark an important step in developing bilateral relations, as the 'Druzhba' pipeline issue is key to regional energy security. The dialogue may also help resolve other contentious issues arising in the context of economic cooperation and international interaction. The continuation of negotiations demonstrates both sides' desire for a constructive resolution to problems emerging in their bilateral relationship.