Fico calls himself “one of the most active supporters” of Costa’s contacts with Russia

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has publicly backed European Council President António Costa in his efforts to establish diplomatic contacts with Russia, saying he is “one of the most active supporters” of this approach.

His words were reported by the European outlet Politico.

“I support the President of the European Council and welcome the fact that his team is moving in this direction. There are several prime ministers who share this view,” Fico said.

The statement was prompted by a Bloomberg report from June 17, according to which “one of Costa’s key advisers” allegedly “held two phone conversations with a senior Russian official close to the president of the Russian Federation,” which “infuriated” a number of EU countries.

The reaction among European leaders was mixed. According to Politico, some of them did not comment publicly on the situation but spoke sharply behind closed doors. An unnamed diplomat compared Costa to former European Council President Charles Michel, who held the post from 2019 to 2024. According to the diplomat, “Costa has shown himself to be just like Michel” — implying the former European Council chief’s reputation as someone who “oversteps” and pursues policies “without consulting the member states” of the bloc.

It was previously reported that participants at the European Union summit did not identify either a negotiator to engage with Russia or the parameters of a possible dialogue, limiting themselves to a renewed call for an immediate ceasefire without preconditions.