Slovakia's PM makes new statement on Ukraine and meeting with Zelenskyy

Fico no longer says he will travel to Kyiv, instead preferring to hold joint government talks in Bratislava.

"It seemed to me that President Zelenskyy was quite flexible. So we will try to organize the talks in Bratislava. I have no reason to make cheap gestures," he said.

However, on Saturday, May 2, after a phone call with Zelenskyy, Fico said he would travel to Kyiv.

"We will continue in the format of joint governments, while also making mutual visits to our capitals," the Slovak Prime Minister stressed.

Until now, Fico had avoided visiting Kyiv. Now he says that he does not want to argue over the venue of the talks.

"Joint government talks will take place in Bratislava or Kyiv," the Slovak politician said in Yerevan.

Diametrically opposed views with Zelenskyy

Fico also stated that he and Zelenskyy have "diametrically opposed views" on the war, oil, and loans.

"If I had spoken longer with President Zelenskyy, we would have found that we have diametrically opposed views. I have a different opinion on the war, oil, and also on whether loans should be provided to them," he said.

At the same time, the Slovak Prime Minister added that Slovakia and Ukraine are neighbors, so it is necessary to work on road and rail connections, as well as energy cooperation.

"As before, Slovakia will not support any military loans and will not send weapons for free. If someone wants weapons, they can buy them," Fico stressed.

He also said that there are "tens of thousands of mercenaries" in Ukraine, adding that he meant "not in a negative sense, but hired soldiers." Fico believes that if these men are not given jobs after the war, they could turn to crime.

On May 2, Zelenskyy confirmed that he had a phone call with Fico. The Ukrainian President said that both sides are interested in improving relations between the two countries.

Fico has also stated that no peace agreement in the war with Russia is possible without Ukraine’s consent.