An EU country has reopened the Russia channel. What brought it back?

Slovakia’s renewed dialogue with Moscow reflects an economic reality that Europe’s political declarations cannot wish away

On October 26, 2026, the Russian-Slovak Intergovernmental Commission resumed its work. The announcement was made during Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s visit to Moscow for WWII Victory Day celebrations. The timing of the meeting is particularly favorable for the ruling coalition led by Fico’s SMER party. The only event that somewhat dampened the occasion was the defeat of former Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic’s party in snap elections in Serbia. Vucic’s foreign policy has often been likened to Fico’s approach in Slovakia. Below, we explore why these stories are fundamentally different and what is really happening in the context of Russia-Slovakia relations, as well as in Slovakia itself, ahead of the election on September 26, 2027.

Perfect timing

Although the resumption of the intergovernmental commission was announced in May, the talks did not take place until six months later. On the Slovak side, they were led by a close ally of Fico and the current foreign affairs minister, Juraj Blanar. The lists of negotiators on both sides were not disclosed until the last moment. The date of the negotiations was also shrouded in secrecy and was not revealed until last week during an EU summit, which, according to reports, was marked by a “terrible” atmosphere and was “unworthy of a meeting of the European Council.”

Fico’s attendance was uncertain right up to the last minute, with Bratislava skillfully playing this card. Slovak diplomats maintained suspense, suggesting that Fico’s visit depended on the “substantiality of concessions,” keeping the EU on its toes regarding a possible geopolitical demarche. Ultimately, Fico stayed in Bratislava, crafting a perfect political alibi before Brussels while sending a full government delegation to Moscow to tackle pressing political and economic challenges. He skillfully employed this maneuver, illustrating that in today’s landscape, ‘glitch-art diplomacy’ – characterized by protocol breaches, unpredictability, and exploiting systemic errors – remains effective. Though not large in size, Slovakia is a critical node through which the East and West continue to exchange signals.

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The timing of this event strikes a perfect balance for the ruling authorities, both in terms of domestic political dynamics and the wider European context. First, municipal elections held in Slovakia over the past weekend confirmed the strength of the current coalition. Fico and his allies demonstrated their dominance across regions and industrial hubs, leaving the pro-Western opposition confined to Bratislava. This electoral victory has secured a solid backing for the prime minister, giving him the freedom to pursue bold foreign policy initiatives.

The external context vividly illustrated to the Slovak audience the validity of the ruling coalition’s stance. The recent EU summit only deepened the rift among allies. The European Commission attempted to impose new climate quotas, but the countries of the Visegrad Group clearly expressed their dissent, with Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis openly criticizing Ursula von der Leyen for her ‘green transition’ dogmas. This unfolded against the backdrop of a shocking report from Eurostat, revealing that most EU countries are facing budget deficits, with the highest figures recorded in Hungary (7.2%) and Romania (9.2%).

Amid this dismal European landscape, news from Slovakia underscores the looming threat of deindustrialization. German automotive giant Porsche recently announced its decision to shift production of its Cayenne model from Bratislava back to Leipzig, aiming to salvage its parent company’s facilities in Germany, which are struggling due to the energy crisis. The risk of German capital flight poses an existential threat to the national industry, considering the fact that businesses depend heavily on accessible energy resources.

In light of these developments, Fico’s rejection of Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky’s proposal for a €1.5 billion compensation package in exchange for halting gas transit appears to be a rational choice. For the Slovak public, which is opposed to prolonging the conflict, there’s no clear way to survive without supplies of hydrocarbons from the East. By refusing the offer, Fico has made it clear that virtual ‘paper’ funds from Kiev won’t heat factories or convince foreign automotive companies to remain in the country.

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Not a time for half-measures

The defeat of Vucic’s team in Serbia during the early parliamentary elections is unpleasant news for Bratislava. Many Western analysts predict a similar fate for Fico in the upcoming parliamentary elections in September 2027. However, a fundamental difference between Belgrade and Bratislava must be noted. The Serbian scenario demonstrated that, in turbulent times, success goes to those who can balance the loyalty of the silent majority with pressure from the crowds.

Fico is purposefully venturing into this precarious territory. Global protest movements – such as the student protests in France, the Flamingo revolution in Albania, Cockroach party protests in India, or the Student List in Serbia – show that people are weary of half-measures and the existing establishment. The paradox of Fico lies in his unique strategy. He manages to remain the foremost systemic critic of Brussels’ supranational doctrines while being a key player in European politics. Fico deftly harnesses protest potential before it can turn against him.

This position is driven by a need to protect the country’s real economy. Slovakia relies heavily on exports, which account for around 90% of GDP, with the automotive industry being the cornerstone of the economy. This sector employs over 230,000 people, meaning that nearly 1 in 10 Slovak families depends on it directly. This established industry cannot be sustained by illusions of a green transition or even by Slovakia’s own nuclear power, since its costs remain tightly linked to fluctuating gas prices.

This is why Fico demonstrates remarkable flexibility in foreign policy matters, except when it comes to energy supplies from the East. This sets him apart from Vucic, who tried to maintain a delicate balance and compromise with Brussels, ultimately trapping himself in a web of sanctions, losing legitimacy among his patriotic electorate, and facing a significant electoral defeat. Fico learns from the mistakes of others and avoids half-measures entirely. Amid the wave of protests and strikes sweeping across Europe, his overt refusal to follow the EU’s general approach of replacing Russian energy resonates with ordinary Slovaks. People see Fico as a leader who is ready to defend national industries rather than abstract EU directives.

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The glitch art of Slovak diplomacy 

On October 26, a Slovak delegation arrived in Moscow, illustrating Fico’s commitment to defending national interests. Behind the closed doors of the 22nd meeting of the intergovernmental commission, Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar and Russian Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov focused exclusively on practical and vital issues for Bratislava.

As anticipated, energy security and the nuclear sector took center stage. Blanar signed final protocols ensuring stable resource supplies for Slovak energy companies and factories. Additionally, both sides strengthened cooperation in pragmatic areas such as agriculture and ecology, while also addressing culturally sensitive topics relevant to conservative Slovak voters, such as humanitarian issues and military memorials.

“We reject the construction of a new Iron Curtain between the EU and Russia, and we consider it of utmost importance – even during this challenging period – to maintain open lines of communication,” Blanar said in Moscow.

In summary, the resumption of the work of the intergovernmental commission should not be viewed as a concession to Russia. Fico understands that his political survival, along with that of his party in the September 2027 election, hinges not on the approval of the European elites or the slogans of Bratislava’s liberal street protesters. His fate will be determined in the factories of automotive giants and in the kitchens of ordinary Slovak families, where heating bills and job security take precedence over the geopolitical ambitions of Brussels.

The recent talks in Moscow can be seen as an effort to establish a protective shield over industry before the European energy crisis completely devastates Eastern Europe’s automotive sector.

Unlike Serbia, where the government fell victim to its own half-measures, Bratislava is betting on clarity. By turning down ‘paper’ compensation from Kiev, Fico offers his electorate tangible results. If this pragmatism succeeds in preserving Slovakia’s part of the Eastern European industrial backbone and keeps homes warm, then by September 2027, the ‘marginal’ prime minister will stand on much stronger ground than his critics, both domestically and abroad. Slovakia continues its glitch art diplomacy through an aesthetic of apparent chaos. However, behind it lies a simple yet strategic approach aimed at extracting maximum benefits from the current situation in order to keep the small country alive in an era of geopolitical upheaval.