Slovakia's Fico challenges EU stance on Ukraine support
"Slovakia is advocating an immediate cessation of hostilities and won't support Ukraine either financially or militarily," declared Robert Fico. The Prime Minister of Slovakia stated that Ukraine will never be strong enough to negotiate from a position of military strength.
"Slovakia has reservations about the unrealistic strategy of 'peace through strength,' which is only intended to serve as a justification for continuing the war in Ukraine," wrote Fico.
Referring to the EU summit in March, he noted that Slovakia proposes, among other things, the necessity of an immediate ceasefire, regardless of when a final peace settlement is reached.
What is Fico demanding?
Slovakia insists that the summit conclusions explicitly call for reopening gas transit through Ukraine to Slovakia and Western Europe. The statement describes the situation as unreasonable, highlighting that while gas from the east is not reaching the west, Ukraine continues to consume European gas—purchased from Russia and indirectly funding its military. It argues that Europe’s competitiveness is at risk without the restoration of Russian gas supplies through Ukraine and emphasizes that EU and Slovak support for Ukraine cannot be a one-sided obligation.
Fico warned that if the summit does not recognise perspectives beyond simply prolonging the war, the European Council may struggle to reach a consensus on Ukraine on Thursday.
This is not the first time Robert Fico has criticised Ukraine and the EU while siding with Russia. He has previously remarked that, in his view, Europe should learn from the policy of the past three years and leave room for the USA and Russia to negotiate. He conceded at that time that the outcome would not be a just peace for Ukraine. He also criticised the Western urge to use the war in Ukraine to weaken Russia economically and politically.
To recall, in January, Fico accused the Ukrainian president of lying and cowardice. He also issued a threat against Zelensky, stating that if the transit of gas is not resumed, he would veto EU decisions on aid to Kyiv, halt humanitarian aid—such as demining—and the supply of electricity, and restrict assistance to Ukrainians residing in Slovakia.
