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

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has suggested that Bratislava may join Budapest in blocking the EU's €90 billion loan for Ukraine in the future, following the stance taken by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

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

Details: Fico sought to defend Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who continues to block approval of the €90 billion loan for Ukraine, claiming that it is tied to the disruption of Russian oil deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline.

"Viktor Orbán is politically right. Zelenskyy cannot run the European Union," Fico said.

Fico acknowledged that there could be a scenario in which Slovakia joins Hungary in blocking the loan, although he did not specify what circumstances would prompt such a move.

He once again said the suspension of oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline is driven purely by political motives and hostility towards Russia. He claimed that Russian oil will "strengthen the energy security" of the European continent.

The Slovak prime minister also commented on his refusal to travel to Ukraine for a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, saying he is not "suicidal".

"I will not let myself be led by the nose. You cannot, Mr Editor, in one sentence say: 'Robert, you are extremely unpopular in Kyiv, so come to Kyiv, come and visit me.' I am not that much suicidal," Fico said.

Background:

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

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