MOSCOW, December 22. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin is holding a meeting with visiting Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.

According to Putin’s press secretary, the meeting is being held one-on-one.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said earlier that Fico was expected to hold talks with Putin following Vladimir Zelesky’s refusal to continue gas transit via Ukraine.

Fico said earlier that Zelensky’s decision not to extend gas transit via Ukraine would lead to a crisis in Slovakia as supplies of Russian gas via Ukraine are expected to halt from January 1, 2025 after the current five0year contract expires.

Fico has been heading Slovakia’s government since October 2023. Prior to this, he was prime minister in 2006-2010 and in 2012-2018. Putin has held several meetings with Fico during his previous office terms. Their previous meeting was held in 2016.