Ukrainian President's Office suggests what message Fico might pass from Zelenskyy to Putin

The President's Office has commented on reports that Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico intends to pass on a message from Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin.

In the context of these reports, Dmytro Lytvyn, adviser to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, recalled a conversation between Fico and Zelenskyy which he said had been about "diplomatic positions and prospects".

"Prime Minister Fico asked what Ukraine's position is. The president [Zelenskyy] told him that we seek an end to the war, that dignified solutions are needed for this, and that Ukraine is ready to meet at leader level in a substantive format so that such solutions can be found. Fico will probably say something in that vein," he said.

Rastislav Chovanec, State Secretary at Slovakia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said earlier that Robert Fico intends to deliver a message from Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Russian leader Vladimir Putin during his visit to Moscow.

Chovanec also said that Fico may also receive valuable information from Putin on how he views efforts to end the war.

Fico is set to visit Moscow on 9 May and meet with Putin, although he will not attend the military parade.

Fico recently stated that despite disagreements on some issues, both he and Zelenskyy are interested in maintaining friendly relations between their countries.