Slovak PM says Bratislava may also block EU loan for Ukraine: "Orbán is right"

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has suggested that in the future he may join Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in blocking the EU's €90 billion loan for Ukraine.

Source: Fico in an interview, as reported by European Pravda, citing Aktuality, a Slovak news website

Details: Fico defended Orbán, who continues to block approval of the €90 billion loan for Ukraine because of the disruption to supplies of Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline.

"Viktor Orbán is politically right. Zelenskyy cannot run the European Union," he declared.

Fico said a situation could arise in the future in which Slovakia would join Hungary in blocking the loan, although he did not specify what circumstances would prompt such a move.

He reiterated his view that the suspension of oil flows via the Druzhba pipeline is politically motivated and driven by hostility towards Russia and claimed that Russian oil would "strengthen Europe's energy security".

The Slovak prime minister also commented on his refusal to travel to Ukraine to meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, saying he is "not suicidal".

"I'm not going to be led by the nose. You can't say in one sentence: 'Robert, you are extremely unpopular in Kyiv, so come to Kyiv, come and visit me.' I'm not that suicidal," Fico said.

Background:

• Fico warned earlier that Slovakia could take further measures against Ukraine over the suspension of Russian oil supplies.
• During a phone call on 27 February, Fico and Zelenskyy agreed to hold a meeting, and Ukraine later suggested that Fico visit on 6 or 9 March.
• Fico then said he wanted to coordinate his position on the Druzhba pipeline with the European Commission before meeting Zelenskyy.

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