Zelenskyy Accused of Bribing Slovakia's Fico

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged Slovak law enforcement to investigate Prime Minister Robert Fico's alleged ties to Russia, claiming Fico's actions undermine European energy independence and support Putin's war efforts. In a recent meeting, Fico defended his visit to Moscow, asserting it was in response to Zelenskyy's statements on gas transit, while also accusing Zelenskyy of attempting to bribe him with €500 million from frozen Russian assets in exchange for support for Ukraine's NATO bid. Fico labeled Zelenskyy's proposals as 'absurd' and threatened potential retaliatory measures if Ukraine does not extend its gas transit contract that expires at the end of 2024. As tensions rise, the Slovak PM expressed pride in his Moscow visit, framing it as a necessary dialogue for gas supply continuity and national interests. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy criticized Fico's dependence on Russian energy and called it a significant security issue for Europe. The situation reflects deepening divisions over energy policy and geopolitical alignments within the EU amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.