Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico during a meeting in Moscow, Russia December 22, 2024. Sputnik/Artyom Geodakyan/Pool via REUTERS
(Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin met Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in the Kremlin on Sunday, Russian television presenter Pavel Zarubin said, as a contract allowing for Russian gas to transit through Ukraine nears its expiry date.
Slovakia is dependent on gas passing through Ukraine and Fico has criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for refusing to extend the contract, which expires at the end of the year.
