“Our official stance is: let’s diversify the supply options for all fuels, but also keep open the possibility when it comes to Russian oil and gas,” Fico said.

He also criticised what he described as growing U.S. interest in European energy transit infrastructure .

“The Russians will supply the Americans with gas and oil at standard prices, and the Americans will sell it to us with an American high-margin surcharge,” he said. “Are we such idiots already?”

The remarks come as the EU continues to pursue its REPowerEU strategy, aimed at ending reliance on Russian fossil fuels following the escalation of the war in Ukraine in 2022.

Under the plan, Russian liquefied natural gas imports would be phased out by the end of 2026, while pipeline gas imports would end by September 30, 2027, with a possible short extension.

EU member states are also required to outline how they will replace Russian energy supplies.

Fico has repeatedly argued that a rapid break from Russian energy could increase costs for Central European countries that remain heavily dependent on imports.

Prosecutors had initially sought a life sentence, but the court granted extraordinary mitigation, reducing the punishment to 21 years. Cintula’s lawyer indicated plans to appeal, seeking to downgrade the conviction to a lesser offence involving an attack on a public official.

The trial, which began in July, featured eight hearings and drew national attention.

Fico was shot multiple times on May 15, 2024, after a government meeting in the town of Handlova. He was airlifted to a hospital in serious condition but survived after multiple surgeries.

Cintula, a former security guard and amateur poet, was arrested at the scene. Authorities described the attack as politically motivated, marking one of the most serious acts of violence against a European leader in recent years.