Bratislava – Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) has announced that Slovakia will not take part in any further war loans to Ukraine. He argues that such loans only prolong suffering, which contradicts the current government’s peace policy. Fico expressed a preference for bilateral, mutually beneficial cooperation with Ukraine through direct government negotiations, rather than participating in the so-called coalition of the willing involving several EU member states. This information was communicated by the Office of the Government of the Slovak Republic.
The Prime Minister pointed out that recent developments highlight the stark differences between his government’s foreign policy and that of the opposition. “Following my invitation to the USA for a meeting with President Donald Trump, the opposition claimed I orchestrated this invitation and now demands that I decline it. Simultaneously, they criticize me for not attending the Paris meeting of the coalition of the willing to support Ukraine to the very end,” he remarked.
Robert Fico asserted that if the opposition were to form the government, they would prioritize the interests of Brussels, undermining Slovakia’s sovereign foreign policy.
He stated that his perspective on the war in Ukraine diverges from that of Germany and the United Kingdom. “I do not endorse their strategy; it is misguided and only results in more bloodshed. It is naive to expect the complete weakening of the Russian Federation. The strength of my government lies in expressing our independent views. We have resisted the dangerous Brussels policy of a singular mandated opinion that threatens democracy,” Fico asserted.
The Prime Minister highlighted the differing approaches to the conflict in Ukraine. “If a coalition of countries, excluding nations like Italy and the Czech Republic, decides to send troops to Ukraine, Slovakia cannot stop them. However, I reiterate that under my government, no Slovak soldier will enter Ukrainian territory as part of any multinational military forces,” Fico stated.
Fico acknowledged that while Slovakia cannot obstruct the coalition of the willing from providing additional war loans, it will not participate. “If a group of willing countries chooses to continue supplying weapons to Ukraine without charge, we cannot intervene,” he remarked, also dismissing the idea of donating weapons.
As Prime Minister, he envisions Slovakia’s involvement as a neighboring country to oversee a peace agreement or ceasefire. He favors bilateral cooperation with Ukraine instead of the coalition’s plans, focusing on civilian collaboration, energy and transport connections, and humanitarian support, such as demining equipment. “The goal is to assist with electricity, gas, and other humanitarian efforts,” Fico concluded. (7 January)
“We have not succumbed to the dangerous Brussels policy of a single mandatory opinion, which is killing democracy on an unprecedented scale.” Robert Fico.
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