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Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico suggested that Ukraine should consider territorial concessions to Russia as part of a potential peace agreement.
Prior to a planned meeting between Prime Minister Robert Fico and his Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal, the Slovak leader caused controversy in Kyiv by implying that a peace agreement may involve territorial compromises with Russia.
There needs to be a middle ground reached, which will undoubtedly cause significant discomfort for all parties involved. And what is the reason for their delay? Will the Russians ever leave Crimea, Donbas, and Luhansk? Fico reportedly expressed scepticism, stating that the idea is unrealistic, as reported by the Slovak news outlet Aktuality.
This stance contradicts President Zelensky’s insistence that Russia must withdraw from all occupied territory before any negotiations can take place. It highlights the importance of restoring Ukraine’s 1991 borders, which encompass not only the occupied areas in the Donbas region but also the Crimean peninsula, which has been under Moscow’s control since its annexation in 2014.
On the other hand, Russia argues that the territories in question have been “liberated” due to the presence of significant populations of ethnic Russians. The Kremlin claims that these Russians have experienced discrimination from the Ukrainian government in Kyiv.
The Slovakian leader, elected on a left-wing populist platform last year, restated his intentions to oppose any efforts to include Ukraine in the American-led NATO military alliance. Being the head of a NATO and EU member state, Fico holds significant influence in the decision-making process regarding Ukraine’s potential admission to either institution.
During his upcoming meeting with Ukrainian PM Shmyhal, he expressed his strong opposition to Ukraine’s membership in NATO and made it clear that he would use his veto power to prevent it. It would simply serve as a catalyst for a potential global conflict, nothing more.
“Ukraine lacks independence and sovereignty,” Fico asserted, suggesting that Kyiv is operating “under significant influence and control from the United States.”
The PM expressed his stance that the Slovakian government will not supply any weapons, citing concerns about corruption in Ukraine.
Although Fico comes from a left-wing perspective, he has managed to find common ground with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Before Fico’s election, Orbán was one of the few European leaders advocating for peace negotiations to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.
During a recent press conference in Budapest, Fico expressed his disagreement with the EU’s actions towards Hungary. He criticised the EU’s attempt to penalise Hungary for delaying a €50 billion EU aid package for Ukraine, stating that he believes a country should not be punished for defending its sovereignty. I strongly disagree with such an attack on Hungary.
