Fico declined to travel to Kyiv for a meeting with Zelensky, labeling the invitation as "childish."

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that his discussions regarding the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine with President Volodymyr Zelensky may take place at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Since the beginning of the new year, Ukraine has halted the transit of Russian gas, which has interrupted its supply to Slovakia. The authorities of the country expressed their extreme dissatisfaction with this decision and threatened to retaliate by cutting off electricity imports to Ukraine.

This week, Fico invited Zelensky to hold talks about gas transit at the Slovak-Ukrainian border.

In response, the Ukrainian president wrote that he is willing to host the Slovak Prime Minister in Kyiv on Friday. However, the leaders' negotiations have yet to take place.

The day before, Fico stated that he would meet with Zelensky "in the coming days."

However, something likely went awry, as on Friday evening, Fico wrote on his Facebook that he had a phone conversation with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and informed him about the unsuccessful attempt to arrange a meeting with Zelensky.

"For several days now, we have been proposing to hold talks with Zelensky on Tuesday evening at the economic forum in Davos, where we will both be present," Fico wrote. "Aside from the childlike invitation to Kyiv, Zelensky has yet to respond to this proposal. Our meeting in Davos could determine the future of Slovak-Ukrainian relations."

In the meantime, on Friday, the leader of the Slovak opposition, Michal Šimečka, visited Kyiv.

"I was expecting one leader from Slovakia – another one arrived," wrote Zelensky on Telegram. "It was a good meeting with Slovak parliamentarians. The delegation was led by Michal Šimečka. We had a very concrete and constructive discussion."

He expressed gratitude on behalf of Ukraine to the people of Slovakia for their support.

"We are ready for an open and mutually beneficial dialogue on all issues, including energy. This dialogue should strengthen our nations – Ukraine and Slovakia, not Moscow," emphasized the Ukrainian president.