Bratislava – Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) has stated that Slovakia may consider vetoing any additional EU sanctions against Russia if they threaten the ongoing peace process. Fico made these remarks on Thursday during a session of the Slovak National Council (NR) Committee on European Affairs, prior to his departure for an EU summit in Brussels. He reaffirmed the government’s position against providing military aid to Ukraine, while also expressing support for Ukraine’s EU membership, contingent upon specific criteria. However, he believes larger EU nations may seek to delay this entry, as reported by TASR.
The Prime Minister expressed concerns about the EU’s image, suggesting that it could appear overly aggressive if it is seen as the sole entity promoting conflict. “Gradually, no one wants to engage in combat anymore. (…) It is primarily the nations of the EU that continually bring up the issue of military support,” he commented in relation to the conflict in Ukraine. He stressed that the EU should advocate for peace in Ukraine, and Slovakia intends to incorporate these views into the summit’s outcomes.
Fico urged the opposition not to accuse him of presenting conflicting positions domestically and in the EU, portraying the government’s stance as rational and pragmatic.
“The Slovak government cannot stop others from deciding to send arms to Ukraine on a bilateral basis,” he noted, reiterating that Slovakia will not be supplying weapons to Ukraine again. “We are open to cooperation only on a commercial basis,” he added, while confirming Slovakia’s continued readiness to provide humanitarian assistance.
The Prime Minister pointed out that conclusions from the European Council recognize that military aid should be tailored to the circumstances of individual member states. “We clearly say no, but we cannot stop other nations from contributing,” he stated.
Fico remarked that there are significant pressures to incorporate issues that could pose risks, such as nuclear programs, into sanctions packages.
“I acknowledge that if we see any proposed sanctions as undermining the peace process, we are willing to veto them; there is nothing wrong with that,” Fico asserted.
The upcoming March summit will also focus on enhancing the EU’s defense capabilities. Fico is opposed to discussions around “rearming” Europe and prefers to emphasize security measures. He believes that any peacekeeping missions should only occur in Ukraine after a peace agreement is reached and that Slovak soldiers should not participate in these missions. He advocated for the involvement of countries that are not direct neighbors of Ukraine and Russia, stating, “Slovakia has no interest in such a mission.”
He clarified that Slovakia supports Ukraine’s accession to the EU, provided all necessary conditions are satisfied. “Ukraine’s entry into the EU will significantly impact the union’s financial framework,” Fico remarked, expressing his belief that larger nations will seek to delay Ukraine’s integration into the EU for as long as possible. (March 20)
“I acknowledge that if we perceive an attempt at further sanctions as something that undermines the peace process, we are ready to veto it; there is nothing wrong with that.” Robert Fico.
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