Fico allowed the veto of further EU sanctions against Russia if they would disrupt the peace process

Bratislava – Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) admitted that Slovakia might veto further EU sanctions against Russia if they were aimed at disrupting the peace process. He said this on Thursday at the Slovak National Council (NR) Committee on European Affairs before departing for an EU summit in Brussels. He reiterated the government’s position rejecting sending military aid to Ukraine. He added that Slovakia supports Ukraine’s entry into the Union under the fulfillment of proper conditions, but he believes that large countries will want to delay Ukraine’s entry into the Union, reports TASR.

The Prime Minister considers it very dangerous for the EU’s image if it is the only one that wants to fight. “Slowly, no one wants to fight anymore. (…) It’s just the countries of the European Union that constantly raise the issue of weapons,” he said regarding the war in Ukraine. According to him, the EU must push for peace in Ukraine, and Slovakia will therefore try to include these messages in the conclusions.

He told the opposition not to accuse him of stating different positions at home and in the EU. He described the stance of the Slovak government as rational and pragmatic.

“The Slovak government cannot prevent anyone from bilaterally deciding to provide weapons to Ukraine,” he said, emphasizing that the Slovak government will never again donate weapons to Ukraine. “We are prepared to cooperate only on a commercial basis,” he said, adding that Slovakia is ready to continue with humanitarian aid.

The Prime Minister stressed that the conclusions of the European Council always mention that military aid takes into account the specifics of individual states. “We say a clear no, but we cannot prevent other countries from donating,” he added.

According to the Prime Minister, there are “great appetites” to include things that endanger us, such as the nuclear program, in the sanctions packages.

“I admit 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,” stated Fico.

The topic of the March summit will also be strengthening the EU’s defense capabilities. Fico rejects discussions on “rearming” Europe; he wants to talk about increasing security. According to him, any peace missions should only be in Ukraine after peace is agreed. He does not support Slovak soldiers being part of such missions. These peacekeeping forces should only consist of countries that are not immediate neighbors of Ukraine and Russia. “Slovakia has no interest in such a mission,” he said.

He clarified that Slovakia supports Ukraine’s integration into the EU under all conditions being met. “Ukraine’s entry into the EU will completely plow the financial framework of the union,” declared Fico, and therefore he believes that large countries will do everything to postpone Ukraine’s entry into the EU as long as possible. (March 20)

“I admit 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.