Benefits lead to action

The EU and NATO are upset, and Ukraine strongly protests, over Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico's surprise visit to Russia and talks with host President Vladimir Putin.

For the West, going to Russia to meet Mr. Putin is taboo. But in fact, Mr. Fico did not set a precedent. Not long after the Ukraine conflict broke out, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer went to Russia. Or right after taking over the rotating presidency of the EU for the second half of this year, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban also went to Russia. Recently, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz initiated a phone call with Mr. Putin.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico holds talks with host President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on December 22, 2024

All the EU and NATO members mentioned above are not always in opposition to the EU or NATO’s common policy stance and orientation towards Moscow or support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. But these countries all have their own ways to ensure their own interests.

Mr. Fico went to Russia to meet Mr. Putin right after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected Slovakia's proposal to continue allowing Russian gas supplies to Slovakia to transit through Ukraine. The EU agreed to allow Slovakia to continue importing Russian gas, but Mr. Zelensky did not agree. Kyiv is not ready to sacrifice Ukraine's interests for Slovakia, and Mr. Fico is not willing to sacrifice Slovakia's interests for Ukraine's. The difference is that Ukraine and the EU will be disadvantaged by Mr. Fico letting Slovakia's interests determine policy and guide actions. Mr. Fico cannot act otherwise because Slovakia is completely dependent on Russian gas supplies and is also receiving preferential prices from Moscow while it has not found an alternative source of supply.

Ukraine criticizes NATO member over Russian gas

It can be seen that the longer the Ukraine conflict lasts, the stronger the friction and conflict of interests between Western countries. Therefore, the more EU and NATO members "break the rules" to open their own path in relations with Russia. Mr. Fico is only further evidence, not the final one.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/loi-ich-dan-dat-hanh-dong-185241224223629948.htm