Slovakia resumes economic and military cooperation with Russia

Slovakia-Russia relations intergovernmental commission energy security military attachés Robert Fico

Slovakia is resuming formal cooperation with Russia by reactivating the Russo-Slovak intergovernmental commission for economic, scientific, and technical cooperation. The commission, which has been inactive since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, is scheduled to meet in Moscow on November 25.

Key agenda items for the upcoming meeting include discussions on energy security, specifically the continued supply of Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline, natural gas, and nuclear fuel for Slovakian power plants. Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár has reportedly expressed opposition to European Union plans to phase out Russian gas imports. The agenda may also cover cultural cooperation, tourism, agriculture, and the status of Russian scientific and cultural centers in Bratislava, as well as the participation of Russian athletes in international competitions.

Additionally, Slovakia is restoring military-diplomatic ties with Russia. The government has sent Brigadier General Slavomir Staviarsky and Colonel Ivo Gahir to Moscow and is preparing to receive a Russian military attaché in Bratislava. This move marks the first restoration of such representation since February 2022. While the government describes this as a pragmatic approach to national interests, opposition politicians have criticized the decision, warning that it could facilitate increased Russian intelligence and espionage activities within the country.

Entities

Juraj Blanár · NATO · Robert Fico · Russia · Slovakia · Vladimir Putin

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 6 SOURCES] Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár expressed opposition to the gradual elimination of Russian gas imports in the EU. www.mediafax.ro · hnonline.sk · bosnainfo.ba · dnevnik.ba · www.rmf24.pl · +1 more
[● 4 SOURCES] Slovakia sent Brigadier General Slavomir Staviarsky and Colonel Ivo Gahir to Moscow. cafef.vn · www.zdg.md · soha.vn · www.tagesschau.de
[● 7 SOURCES] Slovakia intends to reactivate the Russo-Slovak intergovernmental commission for economic, scientific, and technical cooperation. www.mediafax.ro · www.europesays.com · hnonline.sk · bosnainfo.ba · www.rmf24.pl · +2 more
[DISPUTED] A meeting of the intergovernmental commission is scheduled for November 25 in Moscow. www.mediafax.ro · www.europesays.com · hnonline.sk · bosnainfo.ba · www.rmf24.pl · +2 more
[● 4 SOURCES] Slovakia is preparing to receive a Russian military attaché in Bratislava. cafef.vn · www.zdg.md · soha.vn · www.tagesschau.de
[● 5 SOURCES] Slovakia emphasizes the importance of continuing oil deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline. www.mediafax.ro · hnonline.sk · bosnainfo.ba · dnevnik.ba · www.rmf24.pl
[● 4 SOURCES] Slovakia has restored military-diplomatic representation with Russia for the first time since the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. cafef.vn · www.zdg.md · soha.vn · www.tagesschau.de
[● 4 SOURCES] Opposition politicians warn that restoring military ties could allow Russia to increase intelligence activities. cafef.vn · www.zdg.md · soha.vn · www.tagesschau.de