The prime ministers of Ukraine and Slovakia, Denys Shmyhal and Robert Fico, met near the western Ukrainian border city of Uzhhorod on October 7th. The purpose of their meeting was to discuss cooperation in energy security and infrastructure projects. This meeting comes shortly after Fico’s statement that he will block Ukraine’s entry into NATO as long as he remains prime minister.
Fico openly expressed this stance to Prime Minister Shmyhal, as well as to the Americans and others. He stated that he will direct the lawmakers under his control as chairman of the ruling Smer party to never agree to Ukraine joining NATO. Ukraine applied for membership in September 2022, following Russia‘s invasion, but has yet to receive an invitation. This step would require unanimous agreement from all 32 members.
Fico believes that Ukraine’s membership in NATO would only create a basis for World War III. He argues that if a conflict similar to the current one were to break out, it would be considered an attack on a NATO member, triggering dangerous mechanisms. Fico’s position on this issue has been consistent, as he has previously expressed similar views.
Since returning to office in October 2023, after winning the Slovak parliamentary elections on a populist platform, Fico has sharply criticized military aid to Ukraine and sanctions against Russia. This is a significant shift from the previous government’s policy, which provided Ukraine with extensive arms supplies, including Soviet-made MiG-29 fighter jets. However, Fico has expressed support for Ukraine’s EU membership and has largely avoided breaking Western consensus on major decisions regarding support for Ukraine.
Last week, Fico announced that he plans to visit Moscow next year for the 80th anniversary celebrations of the end of World War II. While he claims that the visit is not connected to Russia’s war, the Kremlin often uses these celebrations for propaganda purposes and to showcase its military might. Fico defended his decision, stating that he will attend a peace rally in Moscow and that it has nothing to do with the present.
This is not the first time that Fico and Shmyhal have met in Uzhhorod. In January, they signed a joint statement on bilateral relations during their previous meeting.
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