Slovak delegation led by Blanar arrives in Moscow for first time since 2022

First high-level visit since start of full-scale war

An official Slovak delegation led by Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar has arrived in the Russian capital. This event marks the first such visit since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The main purpose of the visit is to participate in a meeting of the intergovernmental commission on economic, scientific and technical cooperation, scheduled for 26 October.

Energy at centre of negotiation agenda

The energy sector will be a key item on the meeting's agenda. The parties intend to discuss in detail the supply of Russian gas and the continuation of oil deliveries. Cooperation in the nuclear energy sector will be a separate topic. In addition, the meeting will address issues of agricultural development, environmental protection, as well as tourism, sport and culture.

Bratislava's position amid European divisions

The resumption of the commission's work comes against the backdrop of disagreements between Slovakia and some of its European partners over the strategy for engaging with Moscow. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico opposes the EU's sanctions policy against Russia. Under his leadership, the state has ceased providing military aid to Ukraine, although commercial arms supplies continue.

Commitments to alliances and energy dependence

At the same time, the Slovak government emphasises that it intends to develop relations with Russia within the limits of existing restrictions and maintain its commitments to the European Union and NATO. The energy issue is of particular importance for Bratislava: the country continues to purchase Russian energy carriers, while the EU plan envisages a complete halt to Russian gas imports by the end of 2027.