Putin receives Slovak PM Fico in Kremlin for Russia's Victory Day

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday received Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in the Kremlin, the only EU leader visiting Moscow during scaled-back Victory Day celebrations.

Slovakia, a central European country dependent on Russian oil, is the most friendly state to the Kremlin in the EU.

This was the second time Fico, who is sceptical of the EU's aid to Ukraine, has visited Russia for the key patriotic event.

"I know there were some difficulties with your trip to Moscow. But the important thing is that you're here," Putin told Fico during the meeting.

A handful of European states refused to let Fico's plane use their airspace on his way to Moscow.

"We welcome the gradual resumption of bilateral cooperation, which had effectively been put on hold by the previous Slovak authorities," said Putin.

"We will do everything we can to meet the Slovak Republic's energy needs," he added.

The Slovak premier said his visit was "a manifestation of respect for the victims of the Second World War," adding that he was going to discuss the "fundamental questions" of bilateral relations with Putin.

"I am opposed to creating any kind of new Iron Curtain between Europe, the European Union, and the Russian Federation," Fico said.

"I support normal, standard, friendly, and mutually beneficial relations," he said.

Fico did not attend the parade on Moscow's central Red Square -- normally a grand show of force, which this year took place without military hardware. Authorities said the military equipment was deployed in Ukraine.

He instead laid flowers on Friday at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier -- Russia's main memorial to millions of Soviet soldiers who died fighting against Nazi Germany.

Fico's visit drew criticism from the leader of another EU country, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Relations between Russia and the EU spiralled to an all-time low after Putin ordered troops into neighbouring Ukraine four years ago.

The Russian leader has long invoked the WWII memory to justify his offensive.