Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Saturday that “Ukraine is not an independent and sovereign state,” but that it was “under the full control and influence of the United States,” and reiterated that his country would not supply it with weapons.
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Slovakia, a member of NATO, is one of the most pro-Russian countries within the European Union.
Mr. Fico is scheduled to meet his Ukrainian counterpart, Denis Shmygal, on Wednesday in a town located on the border between the two countries.
I will tell him that I am against Ukraine's membership in NATO and I will veto it. This would lead to World War III, nothing more, nothing less.”
He added that he wanted to assure Mr. Shmygal that the latter “will not obtain weapons from the Slovak army and state.”
He also accused Ukraine of being one of the most corrupt countries in the world: “Only God knows where the aid sent to you disappears.”
In his view, the two-year conflict with Russia has no solution from a military point of view, and Ukraine will have to cede parts of the territory: “There must be some form of settlement that will be very painful for both.” Pieces.”
“What are we waiting for? Let the Russians go…? It's unrealistic,” he said.
According to a 2023 report by Bratislava-based think tank GlobeSec, less than half of Slovaks (40%) believe Russia is responsible for the war in Ukraine.
