PS: PM's Trip to Russia Disgrace for Slovakia and Betrayal of National Interests

Bratislava, December 22 (TASR) - Premier Robert Fico's (Smer-SD) trip to visit Russian President Vladimir Putin is a disgrace for Slovakia and a betrayal of national interests, head of the opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) party Michal Simecka stated on Sunday, adding that if Fico was concerned about gas transit, he should have held talks with Ukraine. Simecka considers the prime minister's actions to be shameful and completely unnecessary. "The premier should debate transit of gas for Slovakia in Kiev. But he's afraid to go there, and most importantly, he isn't interested in real results. He's frustrated, tired, he's only playing a false show for the voters. But he's betraying his own country and pulling us away from Europe step by step," stressed Simecka. Member of the PS presidency and former foreign minister Ivan Korcok described Fico's visit as a turning point in Slovak foreign policy. "It is a betrayal of the allies and of Slovakia. It is a turning point in our foreign policy for which the premier has no mandate," noted Korcok. The Slovak premier arrived on Sunday for a working visit to Moscow, where he is currently holding talks with Russian President Putin, stated Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, adding that Fico and Putin should discuss the international agenda as well as the transit of Russian gas. am