Slovak PM says his country will block €90bn EU loan to Ukraine if necessary
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has indicated that he is willing to follow Hungary's example and block a €90 billion EU loan for Ukraine if Viktor Orbán's Fidesz party loses the election.
Source: Fico in a video on Facebook, as reported by European Pravda
Details: Fico said he plans to discuss the suspension of operations on the Druzhba oil pipeline at a forthcoming meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. He said he will propose Slovakia's services in case "some screw needs tightening" regarding the pipeline in Ukraine.
"But the most important message will be that Slovakia is willing to take up the baton from Hungary if necessary," Fico said.
He pointed out that the EU's €90 billion loan for Ukraine is currently effectively blocked.
"However, I am not naive. The Ukrainian president has recently been talking about resuming supplies in a month and a half. That is, after the elections in Hungary, where he is counting on an opposition victory. Then there will be no chance of oil from the east anymore. Unless someone else takes up Hungary's baton," Fico said, hinting that Slovakia could take on that role. Elections in Hungary will take place on 12 April.
He added that blocking this "huge military gift to Ukraine is a legitimate instrument for achieving the resumption of oil supplies".
"In any case, the ball is now in the European Union's court," the prime minister added.
Background:
- On 6 March, the European Commission confirmed that Fico had requested a meeting with von der Leyen, which is expected to take place soon.
- Fico also said he intends to coordinate his position with the European Commission on the Druzhba oil pipeline before any meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
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