Fico threatens to block any aid to Ukraine at EU summit
Photo: Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (Getty Images)
On Thursday, March 6, European Union leaders will gather for a summit in Brussels to discuss further support for Ukraine and an increase in military spending. However, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is threatening to block any aid to Kyiv, Dennik N informs.
Fico stated that at the meeting in Brussels, Slovakia will not support any military or financial aid if it contributes to prolonging the fighting. Moreover, he threatened to use the veto, the news agency writes.
According to the prime minister, military aid to Ukraine should be provided solely on a bilateral basis, meaning between individual EU states and Kyiv.
Gas transit
Fico is also calling for the summit conclusions to include a demand for the European Union to ask Ukraine to resume gas transit from Russia to Europe.
"The rejection of this proposal will significantly complicate Slovakia's approval of the EU summit conclusions. If I see mockery and indifference from European politicians, I may block financial and military aid to Ukraine," the Slovak prime minister emphasized.
Fico called the halt of gas transit through Ukraine "a mockery of common sense." He also accused European traders of allegedly supplying gas from the Russian market to Ukraine, including via reverse flows from Slovakia.
The Slovak prime minister plans to coordinate his actions and potential veto at the summit with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who has also stated that he does not support increasing military aid to Ukraine.
Fico’s threats
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was deeply displeased with Ukraine’s decision to stop the transit of Russian gas, which was halted on January 1.
In response, the Slovak leader began threatening Ukraine. He stated that Slovakia could stop exporting electricity to Ukraine.
He also pledged to significantly reduce support for Ukrainian refugees who fled to Slovakia due to the full-scale war.
