Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) has made it clear that Slovakia will not support a new EU sanctions package against Russia until the European Commission presents realistic proposals on aligning climate goals with the needs of the automotive and heavy industry sectors. He also rejected any deployment of Western troops to Ukraine, emphasizing that Slovakia will not participate in military missions on its eastern neighbor’s territory. He made these remarks following a Thursday meeting with European Council President António Costa.
Fico stressed the need to reconcile the EU’s ambitious climate targets with economic realities, particularly for Slovakia, which produces over a million cars annually and faces high energy prices. “As Prime Minister, I will not support another package until the European Commission puts realistic proposals on the table on how to reconcile ambitious climate targets with the needs of car production—not only in Slovakia—and the needs of heavy industry,” he said. He added that further sanctions would also be blocked until the EC presents practical solutions on electricity pricing in Europe, highlighting the central role of EU institutions in energy policy.
Regarding Slovakia’s position on military involvement, Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák, quoting Fico, described proposals by Western European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, to send troops to Ukraine as “irresponsible and dangerous.” He warned that such actions could lead to a direct confrontation with Russia and even escalate into a third world war. “Slovakia will not participate in any military missions in Ukraine. Our government will always protect the safety of our people and promote peace,” Kaliňák added, stressing that the priority is achieving peace through negotiation rather than force.
On the EU’s broader agenda, Fico emphasized Slovakia’s national interests in the multiannual financial framework, focusing on cohesion policy and aligning the Common Agricultural Policy with Slovak agriculture. He also highlighted the importance of a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine, urging the EU to devote as much energy to peace processes as it does to military aid. “I expressed the wish that the EU devote the same level of attention and energy to peace processes as it does to military aid to Ukraine,” he said.
European Council President António Costa stressed the value of dialogue and listening within the EU. “Based on this ability to discuss and listen, we can strengthen our unity,” he said, praising Slovakia’s role in energy security and the automotive industry as an example of how competitiveness and security can go hand in hand, particularly in industrialized nations like Slovakia.
Source: TASR
