PM Fico says that Slovakia will not be a part of the EU plan to help Ukraine with its armed needs

Prime Minister Robert Fico declared on Sunday that Slovakia will not participate in any EU program that would provide financial assistance to Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion.

When Fico’s government took office in 2023, Slovakia halted governmental military assistance for Ukraine, although it has permitted commercial sales. On the war, Fico disagrees with the nations of the European Union, claiming that there is no answer on the battlefield.

EU leaders did not approve a plan to use blocked Russian assets to finance a loan of 140 billion euros to Kyiv, but they did agree Thursday to address Ukraine’s “pressing financial needs” over the next two years.

Ukraine’s air defense, air fleet, and frontline positions could be strengthened immediately with the funds, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

During a televised press conference, Fico declared, “I refuse to allow Slovakia to participate in any financial scheme aimed at helping Ukraine manage the war and military spending.”

Risks of sanctions

EU sanctions on Russia for its war in Ukraine have also drawn criticism from Fico, who claims that they harm Europe more than Russia. Hungary and Slovakia, two countries that purchase Russian energy, must now deal with U.S. sanctions on Russian oil firms Rosneft and Lukoil that are set to take effect next month.

When asked about the concerns on Sunday, Fico stated that Slovak refiner Slovnaft was not an oil buyer but rather an open tab member of Hungary’s oil and gas group MOL (MOLB.BU).

“At this moment, we are not evaluating it that way,” Fico stated in his first remarks since the sanctions were levied by the US last week.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated Friday that his country was trying to figure out how to get around the U.S. sanctions.