Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Araghchi to Grossi: These parties will bear responsibility for the consequences of their actions
Araghchi to Grossi: Iran will respond to any unlawful action by European countries or parties attempting to turn the Agency into a tool for achieving their objectives
Araghchi to Grossi: We urge the Agency to warn against the consequences of any political move against Iran
Araghchi to Grossi: We call on the Agency to highlight Iran’s full cooperation during the upcoming Board of Governors meeting next week
Araghchi to Grossi: We demand that the Agency reflect the facts in a manner that prevents certain parties from exploiting it to advance their political agendas
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi holds a phone call with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi
Trump envoy Witkoff has sent 'detailed and acceptable proposal' to Iran for nuclear deal; it's in their best interest to accept it: White House Press Secretary Leavitt
Hamas official says Witkoff's position toward group was 'unfair' and shows 'complete bias' to 'Israel'
Hamas official says it has considered Witkoff's proposal acceptable for negotiations, says 'Israel's' response was incompatible with what the group agreed on
Hamas official says group has not rejected Wikoff's proposal for Gaza ceasefire

Kiev's accession to NATO tantamount World War III: Slovak PM

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 21 Jan 2024 12:43
  • 3 Shares
3 Min Read

Slovakia's Prime Minister reiterates his vehement opposition to Kiev's accession to NATO and criticism of their accession to the EU.

  • x
  • Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico speaks during a press conference with Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban at the Carmelite Monastery in Budapest, Hungary, Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024 (AP)
    Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico speaks during a press conference with Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban at the Carmelite Monastery in Budapest, Hungary, Tuesday, January 16, 2024. (AP)

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.

Related News

German FM: Berlin no longer in 'definite peace' with Moscow

NATO rearmament could result in 200mln tonnes in emissions yearly

'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. 

  • Nato
  • Russia
  • Slovakia
  • Nato Alliance
  • Ukraine
  • European Union
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump tensions

US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump pressures

  • US & Canada
  • 25 May 2025
President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrive to a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington (AP)

Rift widens: Trump, Netanyahu clash in heated phone call over Iran

  • Politics
  • 26 May 2025
An Israeli army vehicle moves in the Gaza Strip as seen from southern occupied Palestine, Thursday, May 29, 2025 (AP)

Hamas rejects Witkoff ceasefire plan, says alters terms

  • Politics
  • 29 May 2025
Spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, announces a new operation against Ben Gurion Airport on May 29, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen announces successful hypersonic missile strike on Ben Gurion

  • Politics
  • 30 May 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
MIT bans class president who gave pro-Palestine speech
US & Canada

MIT bans class president over pro-Palestine speech

Arab ministers condemn Israel 'ban' on planned West Bank visit
Politics

Arab ministers condemn Israeli ban on planned West Bank visit

Major General Hu Gangfeng, Vice President, National Defense University, People's Liberation Army, China, leaves after a panel discussion during the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
Politics

China blasts Hegseth, calls US top 'troublemaker' in Asia-Pacific

US activists demand shutdown of Musk's 'dirty' supercomputer: Reports
Technology

US activists demand shutdown of Musk's 'dirty' supercomputer: NBC News

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS