Ukraine won't become NATO member, that would start WW3: Slovakia PM
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Robert Fico assured that he does not intend to seize real estate owned by the Russian government, unlike the neighboring Czech Republic.
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Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico arrives for a swearing-in ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Bratislava, Slovakia, October 25, 2023. (AP)
In an interview with the Slovak news outlet InfoVojna, Prime Minister Robert Fico affirmed that Slovakia will not allow Ukraine to become a member of NATO.
"We will not agree with Ukraine’s membership in NATO, because that would be the start of World War III," Fico said, adding, "As long as I have the opportunity to influence the Slovak political scene, I will use the right to veto such a decision".
Even though he informed InfoVojna that Slovakia is not opposed to Ukraine's EU membership, he noted that it is a lengthy process since Ukraine needs to satisfy detailed standards set by Brussels.
He added that unlike the neighboring Czech Republic, he does not intend to seize real estate owned by the Russian government.
Read more: Slovakia's Fico risks European expulsion for Ukraine stance
At a summit of the Visegrad Group, an informal political club that includes the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia, Czech President Petr Pavel echoed last month Central Europe's support of Ukraine, as NATO views Russia as the biggest threat in Europe and is currently preparing for a major conflict, according to Pavel.
He does not believe his counterparts have a differing view on the war in Ukraine, saying, "We’ve all agreed that it is in our imminent interest that Ukraine succeed," as he called aiding Ukraine a "naturally human step."
Following suit
Fico is known to be a fierce opponent of European and American policies of prolonging the war in the neighboring country, campaigning under "Not a single round" for Kiev.
Poland and Hungary have been following suit as well.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced in September that his country would be prioritizing strengthening its military and therefore would no longer send weapons to Kiev.
Hungary has been in conflict with Kiev over the rights of an ethnic Hungarian minority residing in western Ukraine. Despite admitting Ukrainian refugees and condemning Russia, Hungary has maintained closer relations with Moscow than most EU countries. It has also argued against supplying arms to Ukraine or providing it with economic assistance.
Previously, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban expressed skepticism regarding the European Union's plans to begin negotiations for Ukraine's accession to the EU, citing the ongoing war as a major hurdle.
Read next: Borrell: EU gave 'highest figure ever' of $28.9bn total to Ukraine
