MOSCOW, December 23. /TASS/. The strained relations between Moscow and Bratislava under Slovakia’s former administration, along with pressing energy and natural gas matters, were key topics during talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who visited Moscow recently, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov disclosed at a briefing.

"They also engaged in a discussion on bilateral relations, which had significantly deteriorated due to actions taken by the previous Slovak leadership," the spokesman remarked. "Additionally, they focused on energy cooperation and gas supply concerns," he noted.

"This led to a rather comprehensive exchange of views," Peskov concluded.

On December 22, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico conducted a working visit to Moscow, where he held direct talks with Putin at the Kremlin. This meeting marked their first face-to-face engagement since 2016 and represented only the third visit by a European leader to Russia since the onset of the conflict in Ukraine. Previously, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic commented that Fico’s trip aimed to address Ukraine’s refusal to extend the transit agreement for Russian gas.

Slovakia remains among the few EU nations still purchasing Russian gas, transported through Ukraine. The current transit arrangement is due to expire on December 31, and Kiev has already announced plans to terminate the deal. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico cautioned that a "serious dispute" with Ukraine could arise if energy transportation is halted.