If the European Union extends sanctions against Russia at a summit later in June, Russia will respond with further retaliatory measures, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said after meeting Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Moscow on Tuesday. He stressed that Moscow hadn't initiated the sanctions, which he said are taking a toll on Russia and its European partners alike. Medvedev added that Moscow has partners in the EU who oppose the sanctions. At the same time, he called the EU's decision one of collective responsibility. Meanwhile, the Slovak premier said that Slovakia cares about the EU's unity in its stance on the situation in Ukraine. "We advocate a unified approach, but we also reserve the right as a sovereign country to have our say and push for our own interests, but with full respect for the need to preserve the EU's united approach", said Fico. In this connection, the Slovak premier highlighted the importance of full implementation to the terms of the Minsk agreements. "If we see that the Minsk agreements are being implemented thoroughly, then Slovakia will certainly rank among the countries that will seek to support the implementation by gradually lifting the sanctions", said Fico.
The two officials also discussed gas supplies, with Fico expressing concern over the fact that, under an agreement due to come into effect on January 1, 2020, Ukraine will no longer be a transit country for Russian gas supplies. "If, as a result, Slovakia were to cease to be a transit country, then our country would sustain huge, incalculable economic losses", said the Slovak premier. Against this backdrop, Fico presented the Eastring project, which is set to connect existing gas infrastructure between Slovakia and Romania and Bulgaria. Fico and Medvedev noted the recent slump in trade between Russia and Slovakia by around one-fifth. This state of affairs is intended to be reversed through the two-day visit that Fico and a host of entrepreneurs and representatives of state authorities are paying to Russia.
While meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Fico also discussed the issue of a broad-gauge railway in Slovakia. The premier gave assurances to Putin to the effect that the project is justified, that it requires a feasibility study and that there are no obstacles to the venture as far as Slovakia is concerned. Putin also sought more information about the sale of Italian company Enel's share in Slovak electricity utility Slovenské Elektrárne. Fico stressed that as long as conditions are right for Slovakia, the Government will seek to acquire a majority share in the company.
Slovan, the Slovak ice hockey team, also made its way into the subjects under discussion. In his talks with Putin, Russian Premier Dmitry Medvedev, Chairman of the State Duma Sergey Naryshkin and Minister of Trade and Industry Denis Manturov, Fico floated the idea of assistance for the team. He requested that a mechanism be found that will allow for Slovan's continued presence in the KHL. Putin said that Russia will attempt to help, but sources to fund the team need to be found in Slovakia. The Slovak delegation also included Foreign and European Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajčák, Environment Minister Peter Žiga, Education, Science, Research and Sport Minister Juraj Draxler, as well as a host of representatives of businesses. The meetings have yielded a number of agreements on cooperation, namely in agriculture, transportation, tourism and research.
