Slovak PM Fico and US Secretary of State on Ukraine, Nuclear Energy, and Bilateral Ties

Key Discussions with US Secretary of State

• 💡 Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico met with the US Secretary of State in Bratislava, following a prior meeting in Florida with President Donald Trump.
• ✅ The discussions emphasized mutual respect and Slovakia's commitment to a sovereign foreign policy.
• 📌 Topics included nuclear energy cooperation, the war in Ukraine, and strengthening bilateral ties.

Slovakia's Stance on Ukraine Conflict

• 💬 Fico expressed Slovakia's unique position on the Ukraine war, often differing from other EU partners.
• ⚠️ He believes the conflict has no military solution and will continue, advocating for peace initiatives and dialogue with Russia.
• 👏 Fico praised President Trump's pragmatic and rational approach to ending the war, which he views as "senseless and pointless."
• 📊 He criticized the strategy of sanctions and military aid, arguing it has not weakened Russia and only leads to more casualties.
• 🚫 Fico also stated that Ukraine uses oil supplies as political blackmail against Hungary and Slovakia regarding its EU membership.

Energy Security and Nuclear Cooperation

• ⚡ Slovakia is pursuing a new nuclear block (1200 MW by 2040) with a US partner (Westinghouse) and a multinational consortium.
• 📉 Fico highlighted Slovakia's challenging energy situation due to EU's "ideological and bad decisions" like Repower EU, which will stop Russian gas flow by November 2027.
• 🤝 Slovakia is seeking alternatives for oil and gas supplies, including discussions with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Sovereign Foreign Policy Principles

• 🇸🇰 Fico stressed Slovakia's right to an independent and sovereign foreign policy, prioritizing its own national interests.
• 🌍 He cited examples of this independence, such as attending WWII anniversaries in Moscow and China, despite EU non-participation.
• ⚖️ Slovakia bases its foreign policy on peaceful cooperation and non-interference in other countries' internal affairs.
• 🔑 Fico believes in dialogue with all parties, including Russia, to resolve conflicts and gain valuable information.

NATO and Regional Cooperation

• 🛡️ As a NATO member, Slovakia supports increasing defense expenditures and military cooperation, including F-16 fighter jet procurement.
• 🤝 The US Secretary of State affirmed that the US is not abandoning NATO but encourages allies to strengthen their individual capabilities for a stronger collective alliance.
• 🌐 Slovakia will chair the Visegrad Four (V4) presidency from July 2026 and is open to inviting the US to V4 discussions on international and energy cooperation.