How Russia plans to revive its ties with Slovakia

Bratislava — Slovakia is rekindling a dormant cooperation forum with Russia, focusing on gas and oil supplies, nuclear fuel, and the treatment of Russian athletes in their inaugural meeting in over five years, according to a Russian government memorandum obtained by POLITICO. During a video call on August 20, Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár agreed to convene the Russian-Slovak Intergovernmental Commission (IGC) in Moscow, with the meeting scheduled for November 25, according to Robert Fico, Slovakia's Prime Minister.

The IGC, which covers economic, scientific, and technical cooperation, has been inactive since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, with the last session held in Bratislava on November 12, 2021.

Russia's Science and Higher Education Minister Valery Falkov announced the meeting in a September 10 memorandum, which initially set the meeting date for October 26-27. The memorandum underscores the importance of energy, scientific, and cultural cooperation, as well as addressing issues related to Russian athletes' treatment in international competitions.

Slovakia remains heavily reliant on Russian oil and gas imports, and Fico has cautioned that ending these imports could increase costs. The Russian foreign ministry did not comment on the meeting's agenda.

This push for warmer relations between Slovakia and Russia follows Slovakia's recent visit to Moscow by Prime Minister Fico, coinciding with Victory Day commemorations. The renewed interest in Slovakia-Russia ties arises as Russia seeks new avenues for cooperation, including with Hungary, which has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to the G20 summit and the International Olympic Committee has lifted its suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee.

The Slovak-Russian IGC meeting aims to explore various working groups, including culture, tourism, agriculture, and environmental protection, and address the status of the Russian Center for Science and Culture in Bratislava.