Moscow/Bratislava – A delegation from the National Council of the Slovak Republic is set to visit the Russian State Duma on Monday, with meetings planned with several ministers. Leading the delegation are NR SR Vice-Chairs Andrej Danko (SNS) and Tibor Gašpar (Smer-SD), who confirmed upon their arrival in Moscow on Sunday that they will meet with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who is listed under EU sanctions, as reported by special correspondent TASR.
The EU sanctions list includes members of the State Duma, as well as its chairman, Vyacheslav Volodin, whom Danko has previously met in Moscow after his inclusion on the list.
Danko expressed his surprise at the prevalence of Chinese cars in Moscow, noting, “Markets vacated by some Western companies have now been filled by Chinese.” He also observed that Western cars remain visible on the streets, indicating that spare parts for them must still be available in Russia.
Danko intends to share insights from Moscow regarding Russia’s food self-sufficiency and the growing investments from Western companies. Prior to his trip, he stated a desire to showcase the current business environment in Russia, specifically mentioning that Germans, French, and Americans continue to operate there.
On Sunday evening, the NR SR Vice-Chairs, alongside MPs Marián Kéry, Ján Mažgút, Richard Glück (all Smer-SD), and Adam Lučanský (SNS), attended a performance at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. Danko emphasized that politics should not hinder Slovak artists from performing there or Russian artists from gracing stages in Bratislava and other Western venues, stating, “Culture should connect nations,” in a video shared on social media.
According to previous comments from Danko and Gašpar, the Slovak delegation aims to engage with representatives from the State Duma and various government officials. Danko seeks to gather information on the status of Western investments in Russia.
Gašpar also mentioned that the delegation plans to inquire whether Gazprom could supply gas to Slovakia despite the cessation of transit through Ukraine.
On Sunday (January 12), Poland denied the Slovak government special permission to use its airspace, leading the parliamentary delegation to travel to Russia via the Czech Republic, Germany, and the Baltic Sea. Their flight route included a passage through the Russian Kaliningrad region, Lithuania, and Belarus before arriving in Russia.
The parliamentary delegation’s return from Russia is scheduled for Wednesday, January 15. (January 12)
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