Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has boldly rejected Ukraine’s hopes of NATO membership and called for a realpolitik approach to the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Speaking before the European Committee of the Slovak Parliament, Fico made it clear that any peace deal would likely see Ukraine lose territory to Russia, with Crimea and other occupied regions staying under Russian control. “Russia will never leave either Crimea or the territory it controls,” Fico declared. “Whoever doesn’t understand the Russian soul should forget about defeating it.”
Fico’s comments, which challenge the prevailing Western narrative of Ukrainian progress in the war, have reignited discussions on Slovakia’s stance. His government, notably more skeptical of Western support for Ukraine, has halted military aid from state reserves while allowing commercial arms sales to continue. This puts Slovakia in alignment with Hungary’s critical position on EU sanctions and military aid.
On energy matters, Fico stressed the importance of preserving gas transit through Ukraine. While Kyiv has indicated it may stop transporting Russian gas, Fico pointed out that Ukraine still has a vested interest in keeping the pipelines open, even if the gas isn’t Russian. “They say they don’t want to transport Russian gas. It won’t be Russian gas, it will be different,” Fico explained, acknowledging that Slovakia would face higher costs if forced to rely on Western-sourced gas.
Fico’s pragmatic approach is a stark contrast to the pro-war rhetoric emanating from much of the EU, positioning Slovakia as a voice of reason in a region caught up in a prolonged conflict. With Ukraine’s NATO aspirations dashed and the energy issue still unresolved, Fico’s leadership signals a shift toward prioritizing national interests and de-escalation over endless military support.
