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At a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico supported Ukraine’s accession to the European Union and promised assistance to Kiev, including demining equipment. It was apparently a condition for Fico’s acceptance by Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
It wasn’t the only change. Another reason was that Prime Minister Robert Fico was accompanied by many ministers Slovak government. Following the meeting, a Slovak-Ukrainian joint statement was also signed, in which the new Slovak cabinet also reaffirmed its support for Ukraine and its territorial integrity, Slovak assistance and support for Kiev’s European ambitions.
The Ukrainian side was visibly satisfied with the negotiations. “With the Slovak Prime Minister Robert Ficus We agreed on a number of important issues. The Slovak government will not block Ukraine’s purchase of weapons and equipment from Slovak companies. “Slovakia will support the aid program for Ukraine, which provides 50 billion euros from the EU for Ukraine,” said Ukrainian Prime Minister Shmyhal on Channel X.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico doubted that there would be a war in Kiev:
They lead a completely normal life there. Robert Fico denied that there was a war in Kiev
“Despite all political challenges, we are developing a policy of ‘new pragmatism’ in our relations,” said the Ukrainian head of government. “We are grateful to the Slovak nation, which is helping Ukraine and Ukrainians in these difficult times,” concluded Šmyhal.
Fico also tried to trivialize different views. “We disagree on some issues, that happens in politics,” he said during the meeting. “Nevertheless, we want to help you, you can see that in the composition of the Slovak delegation,” he assured.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico held talks in Ukraine. Source: ČTK
For example, according to the video published by Fico, he and his Ukrainian counterpart disagreed over the US role in Ukraine, which according to the Slovak prime minister is essential but according to Kiev it is not. Fico also stated that Slovakia would not block commercial arms supplies to Ukraine, but a military solution to the conflict was not possible, according to Bratislava.
“I reiterated to the Prime Minister that I do not believe in a military solution this conflict. And as a Slav, it bothers me that there are mutual killings of Slavs, perhaps in the name of some geopolitical interests,” Fico said. “We will support any peaceful solution,” the Slovak prime minister added. He brought a gift to Ukraine in the form of twenty tons of humanitarian aid and ambulances for Ukrainian medical personnel.
Fico needs Scholze
The visit to Ukraine was preceded by a series of statements by the Prime Minister aimed at the Slovak audience, mainly government voters, in which Fico he was very critical and even insulting.
“And you really believe that there is war in Kiev? You’re not serious, I hope… Life is completely normal. Why should I go to Kiev when I can meet the Prime Minister in Uzhhorod? I don’t see any difference there,” Fico said in a radio interview before his departure. Paradoxically, at that moment Kiev was bombed again by Russia.
He also called Ukraine a corrupt country that is not a sovereign state. However, despite calls from Ukrainian journalists to cancel the meeting, Kiev did not cancel the meeting.
Robert Fico is against Ukraine’s admission to the North Atlantic Alliance:
Fico rejects Ukraine’s admission to NATO. He will veto it
What is also interesting about the meeting in Uzhgorod is that Fico flew directly from there to Berlin, where he was received by the Chancellor Olafa Scholze. For Fico, this is an important meeting, not only because of Germany’s role as Slovakia’s main trading partner, but also because Fico’s leadership was excluded from membership in the European Socialist Group after the elections. It is the Chancellor’s Social Democrats that have the decisive say in the parliamentary group.
“Anyone who knows how to interpret diplomatic signals will definitely read them,” said an unnamed Berlin diplomat.
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