Fico: We will not block the conclusions of the EU summit if they mention the resumption of gas transit through Ukraine

Bratislava – If a formulation that calls for finding a solution to resume gas transit through Ukraine to Slovakia is part of the conclusions of Thursday’s European Union (EU) summit, Slovakia will not block the summit conclusions. Prime Minister Robert Fico of Slovakia (Smer-SD) stated this before leaving for Brussels at Thursday’s meeting of the National Council of the Slovak Republic Committee for European Affairs. The Prime Minister presented the positions of Slovakia with which he is departing for negotiations in Brussels. The committee approved Slovakia’s positions, informs TASR.

“I think the mention that it is necessary in cooperation with the European Commission, Ukraine, and Slovakia to find a solution for resuming gas transit is bearable,” said Fico. “If the conclusions contain such a formulation, we have no reason not to support them,” he added.

He emphasized that the most precise version of the formulation is continuously being sought. The Prime Minister also admitted that some countries might oppose Slovakia’s demand, because “there are countries within the Union that are outright militant and wish for the continuation of the war.”

“I must expect that there will also be great opposition to the demand for resumption of transit. I see how some people say we have gone crazy,” he added. He also stated that economic figures clearly demonstrate the necessity of resuming transit. “It’s not just me saying this, German companies are also saying that without the resumption of transit, Europe won’t be economically competitive. Fico repeated that Slovakia will not agree to military aid to Ukraine but will not block bilateral agreements between Ukraine and member states.

Fico objected at the committee meeting to criticism that Slovakia was absent from meetings of some EU leaders who in recent days and weeks met in Paris and London to discuss the security situation, the war in Ukraine, and increasing the EU’s defense capabilities.

“All these meetings were about how to maintain the pace of the war, given that US President Donald Trump has different rhetoric. We want nothing to do with that, we reject war,” he emphasized. For the same reason, he opposed committee member Vladimíra Marcinková (SAS), who called for Slovakia to seek participation in the announced meeting of chiefs of general staffs in Paris, convened by French President Emmanuel Macron.

“Do you know what this meeting is about? About a nuclear umbrella for Europe and the use of nuclear weapons, which would be decided by France. Not for me, thank you,” declared the Prime Minister. He also criticized the rejection of a ceasefire as an immediate solution, enabling an agreement on peace. He disagrees with the notion that a ceasefire could provide Russia space to strengthen its military capacities. According to Fico, Russia has already strengthened itself by the war itself and its prolongation.

The Prime Minister also announced that the head of European diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, may come up with a proposal to immediately organize a collection for Ukraine ranging from 20 to 40 billion euros, where each member country would contribute a certain amount from their budget.

“In Slovakia’s case, it comes to 160 to 260 million euros, we definitely won’t agree with that,” he added. “If someone wants to help bilaterally, fine, but at a time when we are struggling with consolidation, I can’t imagine us providing a quarter of a billion for military expenditures in Ukraine,” emphasized Fico. (March 6)