Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal hosted his Slovak counterpart Robert Fico in Uzhhorod on Wednesday to discuss their “differences” over the Russian invasion and continued Western aid to Ukraine, AFP and Agerpres reported.

In a sign of the tensions, Slovakia’s prime minister said a day before that meeting in western Ukraine that life in Kyiv was “normal” as a new wave of Russian strikes hit the Ukrainian capital and other cities across the country, killing 18 people. and more than 130 wounded.

“Despite our differences, we intend to pursue a pragmatic policy with the government of Slovakia that will benefit both countries,” Denis Shmigal wrote on social media on Wednesday.

The Ukrainian government official said that he is “convinced” that Wednesday’s meeting with Robert Fico, the first since the election of the Slovak leader in October 2023, will open a new page” in relations between Kyiv and Bratislava.

Earlier on Wednesday, Denys Shmygal said that he was “counting on a constructive dialogue”, accompanying his first message with two short videos of two officials shaking hands in front of photographers.

“There are many topics that we have to discuss,” said Robert Fitzo, adding that “there are issues on which we can have different opinions. It’s life”.

But “we really want things to move forward. You will see that we really want to help you,” added the Prime Minister of Slovakia.

Relations between Slovakia and Ukraine worsened after a series of inflammatory comments by Robert Fico, who questioned Ukraine’s sovereignty and called for a compromise with Russia.