Fico after the video conference of EU leaders appreciated the development around the peace negotiations regarding the war in Ukraine

Bratislava – Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) welcomed the latest developments in addressing the military conflict in Ukraine on Tuesday. According to him, there are two prerequisites for ending the war. He stated this in a video he published on social media after a video conference with the leaders of EU member states, which took place a day after talks in Washington, TASR reports.

The first prerequisite, according to Robert Fico, is the understanding that Ukraine cannot become a member state of the North Atlantic Alliance (NATO). He emphasized that he has held this position since the beginning of the war. As the second prerequisite for ending the war, he mentioned the need for discussion about territorial changes in Ukraine, without which, in his opinion, this conflict cannot be resolved.

“If these two basic understandings – one about Ukraine’s membership in NATO and the other about militarily controlled territories – lead to a ceasefire and the end of the senseless killing of Slavs, the process opened by the American president should be considered his enormous personal success,” Fico said.

The EU had to wait for Trump to show Europe the way to peace

At the same time, he expressed regret that the Union had to wait for Trump to show Europe the way to peace. According to him, there are still several unresolved issues. He criticized the proposal that Ukraine should purchase weapons worth 100 billion EUR from the USA as part of security guarantees, stating that this amount should be covered by the EU.

Fico labeled this proposal as a “failed joke.” He is also skeptical about further sanctions against Russia if peace negotiations do not go as expected. Fico emphasized that he wishes for peace as soon as possible and supports Ukraine’s initiative to join the EU, provided it meets all necessary conditions. In conclusion, the Prime Minister stated that he is interested in “normal neighborly relations” with Ukraine, and therefore views positively the expressed interest in a joint meeting of the Slovak and Ukrainian governments.

“We are starting to look for a date and place,” he added. (August 19)