Ahead of his visit to Ukraine, Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico declared in an interview with RTVS on Saturday that Slovakia will block Ukraine's bid to join NATO.

Fico, who is scheduled to meet Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmygal, emphasized that his visit is driven solely by "humanitarian" concerns, and pledged to communicate Bratislava's stance on a range of issues, including Ukraine's potential accession to the EU and NATO. 

"I will tell him that there are things on which we have completely different opinions,” Fico said.

“I will tell him that we respect them when it comes to joining the EU, but they must fulfill the conditions,” he added, explaining that a situation where “a country that absolutely does not meet any requirements” joins the EU is unacceptable.

The Prime Minister unequivocally ruled out the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO, asserting that such a move could lead to a catastrophic global event, suggesting a direct collision between NATO and Russia.

Read more: Slovak President blocks military aid to Ukraine

"I will veto and block [a NATO bid by Ukraine] because that is exactly the basis of the third world war and nothing else," Fico declared.

'Not a single round'

Additionally, Fico reiterated his election campaign pledge to cease the supply of military aid to Ukraine ("Not a single round!"), insisting that the decision remains in force.

However, he noted that this restriction applies solely to state-sponsored military aid from Slovakia, with arms manufacturers remaining free to engage in sales to Ukraine.

“When Slovak companies don’t make money, American ones will,” Fico noted.

He also acknowledged the shift in Slovakia's stance, highlighting that, prior to his assumption of office, Slovakia had been among Ukraine's top supporters, providing extensive military aid, including warplanes and anti-aircraft systems.

‘No air defense, no air force’: Slovakia says after Ukraine aid

Slovakia's ongoing military aid to Ukraine during the previous government has significantly undermined the country's defense posture, requiring "years" to address, according to the new Slovak Defense Minister, Robert Kalinak.

Since taking office in October under the leadership of Prime Minister Robert Fico, the minister accused his predecessors of relinquishing vital military equipment to Ukraine without ensuring a plan to secure replacements.

Kalinak criticized the previous administration, stating that the defense ministry had been managed by individuals with qualities more akin to "pugs rather than wolves," as reported by The Standard newspaper on Thursday.

“The former government left us without our own anti-aircraft defenses, without combat aviation, and we don’t even have the promised 700 million for MiGs, which the government also handed over to Ukraine,” Kalinak stated.