Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has repeatedly stated that he does not support Ukraine’s membership in NATO, but at the same time promises not to interfere with the accession of his eastern neighbor to the European Union. This was stated on Monday, October 7, in Uzhgorod, the Ukrainian region of Transcarpathia, where his negotiations with the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Denis Shmygal, took place.
According to Fico, Slovakia is one hundred percent in favor of Ukraine joining the EU, but its attitude towards NATO membership is “calm.”
“I will say openly that we are fine with Ukraine’s membership in NATO, but its membership in the EU will be important and valuable for us.” – said the Prime Minister of Slovakia.
Note that this is the Slovak Prime Minister’s ambiguous approach to the problem. Since the late 1990s, the United States has pursued a dual strategy in Europe: a chronologically close expansion to the North, the East, and the Balkans with the accession of states to the European Union and NATO.
Fico noted that there will be EU member states that will wish that Ukraine’s EU accession process does not move so quickly.
“A lot depends on reforms in Ukraine, but we will not put any obstacles on the way to entry,” – Fico emphasized.
The Slovak politician said his government supports “all peace plans” for Ukraine, including the so-called ten-point peace formula presented by the Ukrainian president. Vladimir Zelensky in November 2022, which includes nuclear, food and energy security guarantees, as well as the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territories beyond the 1991 borders.
The Slovak Prime Minister also stressed that Slovakia is ready to supply electricity to Ukraine during the winter heating season, if necessary.
The Prime Minister of Ukraine reported on Telegram that kyiv had reached an agreement with the Slovak side to complete work on eight bilateral documents and plans to sign them before the end of the year.
