Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has vowed to do “everything” possible to ensure his country does not take part in the latest NATO-backed initiative to finance arms for Ukraine.
Speaking to students on Wednesday, Fico – who survived an assassination attempt by a pro-Ukraine activist – said Slovakia would oppose a proposed €70 billion ($80 billion) loan package at the bloc’s upcoming summit in Türkiye.
“I am following the preparations for the NATO summit in Ankara with great concern... and I keep hearing that they want to raise money for Ukraine again. They are talking about €70 billion to support the war in Ukraine. I am saying this publicly for the first time: I will do everything to ensure that Slovakia does not participate in military loans for Ukraine,” Fico said.
NATO is considering an additional €70 billion in military aid for Ukraine over several years, with the proposal expected to be discussed at the bloc’s July 7-8 summit in Ankara, according to Italian state news agency ANSA. Reportedly backed by Germany, the plan remains under negotiation, with member states still wrangling over how to split the costs. Earlier reports by Euractiv and Politico said US participation was uncertain, while €30 billion would come from the EU’s existing Ukraine aid package.
Fico has long opposed Brussels’ hardline stance on Moscow, including military aid to Kiev and sanctions on Russia. He was the only EU leader to attend this year’s Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, where he warned against a “new Iron Curtain” dividing Europe and called for renewed dialogue with Russia.
“We must talk, talk to everyone. I am a strong supporter of dialogue,” he said, criticizing the EU’s approach to the Ukraine conflict. “We are incapable of doing anything to end the war in Ukraine, and that is very sad. Perhaps it is because some EU states support the war and want it to continue,” Fico added.
Earlier this week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said all hopes that the West could serve as an honest broker in resolving the Ukraine conflict had collapsed. He argued that continued military support for Kiev had undermined any claim to neutrality.