Slovak Ambassador to Ukraine Pavel Vízdal was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after Bratislava’s claims of alleged Ukrainian interference in Slovakia’s affairs, according to Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry.

(Reuters) - Ukraine's foreign ministry summoned Slovakia's ambassador in Kyiv on Thursday to reject accusations that it is meddling in its neighbour's internal affairs and to accuse Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico of being a "mouthpiece" for Russia.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry summoned Slovak Ambassador Pavel Vizdal on Thursday, January 30, to express strong disapproval of Bratislava's statements alleging Ukraine's interference in Slovakia's internal affairs.

Slovak Ambassador to Ukraine Pavel Vizdal was summoned to the Ukrainian MFA, where he was told that he strongly rejects the statements by official Bratislava about Ukraine's alleged interference in the internal affairs of the Slovak Republic.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry summoned the Slovak Ambassador, rejecting claims of interference and criticizing PM Robert Fico's rhetoric towards Kyiv.

According to the statement, the Slovak ministry delivered the Ukrainian ambassador "a strong protest" against statements by the Ukrainian side.

A diplomatic rift between Bratislava and Kiev has deepened over Ukraine's decision to cut off the transit of Russian gas through Slovakia and mutual accusations regarding energy policies. The Slovak Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday it summoned Ukrainian ambassador Myroslav Kastran to convey a "strong protest over statements made by Ukrainian officials.