In a diplomatic standoff, Ukraine has firmly rejected proposals by Slovakia’s new Prime Minister, Robert Fico, suggesting that Ukraine should cede territory to Russia as part of a resolution to the ongoing conflict. Fico’s remarks came ahead of a scheduled high-level meeting between the two countries.
Slovakia’s Prime Minister, known for his pro-Kremlin stance, raised eyebrows when he proposed that both Kyiv and Moscow make painful compromises to end the war. In an interview with Slovak radio, Fico challenged the notion that Ukraine could maintain its territorial integrity without accepting some of Russia’s gains, especially in regions like Donbas and Luhansk, which fell under Russian control in 2014.
Responding to Fico’s remarks, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Oleh Nikolenko, took to Facebook, asserting, “There can be no compromise on territorial integrity, neither for Ukraine, nor for Slovakia, nor for any other country.” He emphasized the importance of Ukraine’s security for the overall stability of the region.
Fico, who won the October election with a promise to limit military support for Ukraine, aligned himself closely with Hungary’s Victor Orban. He openly expressed his intentions to block Ukraine’s aspirations to join the European Union (EU) and NATO, a stance he plans to reiterate in his upcoming meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
“I will tell him that I am completely against Ukraine’s NATO membership and that I will veto it because the only thing that would lead to is a Third World War,” Fico declared.
In a significant departure from his predecessor’s policy, Fico announced that Slovakia would not provide weapons or military aid to Ukraine, instead offering “humanitarian help.” This change in approach raises questions about the future of the bilateral relationship between the two nations.
Contrastingly, Poland’s new Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, delivered a more positive message during his visit to Kyiv. Tusk and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed potential joint arms production and explored avenues for broader cooperation. Tusk affirmed Poland’s commitment to assisting Ukraine in its bid to join the EU.
As tensions escalate and diplomatic dynamics evolve, the outcomes of these high-level meetings will likely shape the trajectory of relationships in Eastern Europe, with implications for regional stability and security.