The Russia-Ukraine conflict has persisted, and divisions within the European Union regarding aid to Ukraine have become increasingly prominent.
According to RT, Slovakia's Prime Minister Fico posted a video speech on the social media platform Facebook on the 14th, stating that the previous government had deceived the people regarding the aid to Ukraine. He said that he would officially present a request at the EU summit, asking the EU to compensate Slovakia for the large amounts of weapons and equipment that it had donated to Ukraine without any compensation.
Since returning to the position of Prime Minister in 2023, Fico's stance on the Ukraine issue is quite different from that of the European Union. He has stopped all military aid and weapons deliveries to Ukraine funded by the government.
Fisso said that the Hegel government donated fighter jets and air defense systems to Ukraine, emptying Slovakia of its resources.
In 2022, former Prime Minister Hegel approved the delivery of dozens of Soviet-made tanks and infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine. The aid equipment also included Soviet-made MiG-29 fighter jets and S-300 air defense missile systems. Data from the Kiel World Economy Institute shows that between 2022 and 2023, Slovakia transferred equipment worth approximately 700 million euros (about 5.5 billion RMB) to Kiev.
"I will be raising at Brussels a question about compensation for the provision of military equipment to Ukraine." said Fizo.
According to the agreement reached between Hegel’s government and the Western countries, the equipment donated will be replaced with hardware manufactured in the West, with Germany playing a major role in this process. The Slovak Ministry of Defense considered the agreement insufficient at that time, as Berlin only promised to replace about half of the equipment being sent to Ukraine.
Slovakia Prime Minister Fico IC photo
For a long time, Fico has opposed sanctions against Russia, warned against Ukraine joining NATO, and repeatedly called for peaceful negotiations. In May this year, Fico was the only European leader to attend the Moscow Victory Day celebrations. At that time, he stated his opposition to setting up a new 'iron curtain' between the EU and Russia, and called for a resumption of cooperation between Europe and Russia.
Fico has previously criticized the EU for falling behind global realities and often being unable to adapt to a constantly changing world. He said that although Slovakia values its status as a NATO and EU member state, it still hopes to normalize relations with Russia. "I have great respect for the EU, but I am disappointed by its inability to respond to global situations, and I cannot understand some of its decisions. Many people in the EU are like frogs at the bottom of a well, unable to see the outside world."
He also stated multiple times that EU policies and the refusal to engage in substantive dialogue with Russia are harming the EU itself. After cutting off Russian oil and natural gas imports through sanctions, EU member states have had to bear high energy prices.
Fico revealed on the 14th that his recent talks with European Council President Costa were "disheartening". He said that despite the EU's "declining competitiveness" and "high energy prices", the EU still insists on opposing Russia, with the goal of "endinging with every Ukrainian soldier and running out of every last euro".
The Russian side has repeatedly stated that Russia has never refused dialogue. At the same time, it has accused Ukrainian Western supporters of implementing destructive policies, constantly encouraging Kiev to continue fighting, and obstructing all efforts towards peace.
