Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the SCO Summit, drawing sharp criticism from Brussels. Despite Slovakia’s EU and NATO membership, Fico vowed deeper energy cooperation with Moscow and announced opposition to an EU plan to cut Russian oil and gas supplies. He lashed out at EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, calling EU leaders “frogs in a well.” Putin praised Fico’s independent stance and declared Russia has no objection to Ukraine joining the EU—but NATO membership remains off limits.