Fico Speaks to Media After EU's €90 Billion Deal for Ukraine

EU Summit & Regional Cooperation

• 💡 Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico focused on intensive preparation for the EU summit, prioritizing it over domestic disputes.
• 🤝 He highlighted strong cooperation with Hungary and the Czech Republic, and friendly personal relations with Polish PM Donald Tusk, anticipating future collaboration.

Critique of EU Decision-Making

• ⚠️ Fico criticized the EU's process, where complex, 50-point financial documents were presented to Prime Ministers without sufficient time or clarity for assessment.
• 🔍 Key issues like the scope of frozen assets and the level of state guarantees for aid were initially unclear, requiring pragmatic clarification meetings.

Stance on Ukraine Aid & Peace

• 🚫 Fico firmly stated his refusal to provide money for war to Ukraine, advocating instead for reconstruction and economic strengthening.
• 💔 He expressed deep concern over the lack of focus on peace in discussions, calculating approximately 480,000 casualties (dead or severely wounded) over 12 months of continued fighting.
• 🎯 The PM believes a military victory against Russia is impossible and that a territorial agreement, including Donbas, Luhansk, and Crimea, is the likely outcome.

Slovakia's Position on EU Conclusions

• ✅ Slovakia and Hungary did not support the Ukraine conclusions that proposed military credit and the use of frozen Russian assets for war financing.
• 🛡️ Fico emphasized the importance of Article 10, which ensures member states can respect their own security and defense policies regarding military assistance to Ukraine.

Media & Political Integrity

• 💬 Fico criticized both Western and Eastern media for "blunt propaganda," citing the shifting narrative on Russia's military strength.
• ⚖️ He defended Slovak diplomat Miroslav Lajčák against Epstein-related allegations, arguing against judging individuals solely by photos and highlighting perceived double standards in media scrutiny.