Fico Backs Ukraine’s EU Accession, Maintains Cold Stance on NATO Membership

The Slovak Prime Minister, Robert Fico, is not against Ukraine's accession to the EU but is not open to Ukraine's membership in NATO. 

This was stated during Ukraine’s PM, Denys Shmyhal, and Fico’s meeting on October 7 in Ukraine’s Uzhhorod, a city in the west of Ukraine. 

"We will not put obstacles in your way regarding Ukraine's membership in the EU. There will be countries that will be against Ukraine quickly becoming a member of the European Union. I say this openly and clearly. We want to share our joining experience with you. This experience is interesting and valuable,” said Robert Fico. “We have a rather cold attitude towards Ukraine's membership in NATO, but we will participate in all conferences.”

Fico added that Slovakia supports all of Ukraine’s peace plans and President Zelenskyy’s “Peace Formula”.

“You have to have security guarantees, and we understand that. We will support all initiatives to achieve this goal," said the Slovak PM.

Fico announced that Slovakia is preparing a new package of financial assistance to Ukraine, adding that the Slovak government is also ready to provide a package of military aid, but it would have non-lethal weapons.

Previously, in an interview with STVR, Fico vowed to block Ukraine's NATO membership for as long as he is in office.

"As long as I am Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic, I will ensure that the MPs (Members of Parliament) under my political control as chairman of the [ruling Smer] party never to agree to Ukraine's joining NATO," Fico said, adding that Ukraine’s accession to NATO requires ratification by the parliaments of the Alliance’s member states.

Recently, Fico also expressed his desire to restore “normal” relations with Russia if the war in Ukraine ends during his government’s tenure, claiming that the EU needs Russia.