Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) has rejected criticism from Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry over his recent comments on the war in Ukraine.
Fico defended freedom of expression as a fundamental democratic right and warned that dissenting views on the conflict are often harshly condemned within the European Union. He insisted he will continue voicing his opinion, even if it strains relations with EU partners or Kyiv.
The prime minister reiterated his call for an “immediate, just peace” and an end to what he called the “senseless killing of Slavs.” He also highlighted Slovakia’s significant assistance to Ukraine, including critical electricity supplies. However, he accused Ukraine of halting gas transit through its territory to Slovakia, which he said harms his country.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry responded by accusing Fico of overlooking the true causes of Russia’s invasion and downplaying the risks of cooperating with Moscow.
The exchange comes as Fico commented on the planned Trump–Putin summit in Alaska on August 15th, warning that regardless of the outcome, Ukraine will “have to pay dearly.”
Source: TASR, The Kyiv Independent
