Slovak PM Robert Fico urged not to visit Kyiv over alleged security risks
Slovak Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Richard Takáč (photo: facebook.com)
The Slovakian government publicly called on Prime Minister Robert Fico to cancel his trip to Ukraine, where he was invited by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Dennik reports, citing Slovak Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Richard Takáč.
What minister said
According to Takáč, there are allegedly "people in Ukraine capable of shooting" the Slovak prime minister. That is why he believes Fico should not travel to Kyiv.
Takáč made a statement after Zelenskyy's comments about Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. He is blocking the allocation of aid to Ukraine from the European Union. In particular, Zelenskyy said he would give Viktor Orbán's address to Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers if he continues to block the loan.
Reaction of Ukraine's embassy
Ukraine's embassy in Bratislava called Takáč's words manipulative and detached from reality, Aktuality writes.
Embassy reminded that since the start of the full-scale invasion, hundreds of world leaders, ministers, and foreign delegations have safely visited Ukraine — not only in Kyiv, but also in frontline areas and in liberated territories.
Among Slovak guests were then-Prime Minister Eduard Heger and former president Zuzana Čaputová. Fico, meanwhile, previously visited only Uzhhorod.
Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Fico and invited him to visit Ukraine. In particular, to discuss the functioning of the Druzhba oil pipeline.
The Slovak prime minister said a meeting with the Ukrainian president will take place — but only after Bratislava agrees on its position with the European Commission and Hungary regarding transit of Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline.
Fico also called on the EU, together with Slovakia, to pressure Kyiv to restore pumping and allow on-site inspection.
In his opinion, Zelenskyy's refusal harms the entire European Union and undermines support for Ukraine in a number of countries.
