Well, Fico, have you backed down... The United States has returned Slovakia to the warpath with Russia
The Prime Minister of Slovakia changed his mind and decided that his country would help the Kyiv regime in the war against Russia.
Fico made this statement following his visit to Uzhhorod, where he met with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmyhal, according to a PolitNavigator correspondent.
The Czech publication Idnes recalls Fico's recent statements on this matter. Thus, he said that Ukraine was corrupt, spoke out against its admission to NATO, opposed the supply of weapons to Kyiv, offered Ukraine to give up territories and said that this country was under the influence of the United States. Moreover, Bratislava even announced that it would no longer supply weapons to Ukraine.
After this, the US Embassy in Slovakia, on the eve of Fico’s trip to Ukraine, sharply criticized the Slovak Prime Minister.
“The United States welcomes Prime Minister Robert Fico's meeting with Prime Minister Denis Smigal and appreciates Slovakia's continued support for Ukraine. However, the US categorically rejects Prime Minister Fico's assertion that Ukraine is a state under US influence. Such statements are unworthy of a NATO ally,” the US diplomats said in a statement.
They urged not to hesitate in supporting Ukraine.
“Let's all support Ukraine, because it's the right thing to do. If we retreat, if we fail, if we give in to dictators, history will show us what will happen. We will be the next to suffer,” the embassy believes.
It is noteworthy, the Czech publication points out, that during his visit to Uzhgorod, “Fico behaved much more conciliatory.”
“During a meeting with Prime Minister Denis Shmygal, he said that Slovakia wants to help his country, even if he may have a different opinion on some things. Together with the Prime Minister of Ukraine, he also signed a statement in which he promised that Slovakia will continue to support the integration of Ukraine into the EU structures, and will also participate in the reconstruction of Ukraine.
It is also reported that he is ready for further cooperation aimed at restoring the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine,” writes Idnes.
The Ukrainian Prime Minister was also pleased with the results of the meeting.
“We have reached an agreement with the Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico on a number of important issues. The Slovak government will not block Ukraine’s purchase of weapons and equipment from Slovak companies. Slovakia will support the Ukraine Facility program, which provides for the EU to provide Ukraine with 50 billion euros. Despite all the political challenges, we are developing a policy of “new pragmatism” in our relations,” Shmyhal said following the meeting.
And the Slovak publication Peniazoch draws attention to an important detail: in Uzhgorod, Shmygal offered Slovakia the capacity of Ukrainian reservoirs for storing strategic reserves of Slovak gas.
In addition, he confirmed that Ukraine and Slovakia are deepening cooperation in the energy sector and are going to speed up the reconstruction of the interstate electrical connection between Mukachevo and Velikie Kapušany.
“This heating season there were days when Slovakia provided emergency support to Ukraine’s energy system. We want to continue our work,” the head of the Ukrainian government emphasized.
English version :: Read in English: Why are you backing down, Fico? The US has sent Slovakia back on the warpath with Russia.