Slovakia’s prime minister U-turns on Ukraine support during visit
Russia-friendly Robert Fico pledges backing to Kyiv on his first trip to the war-torn country
Slovakia’s Russia-friendly prime minister has made an unexpected U-turn on Ukraine, pledging support on his first trip to the war-torn country only days after questioning Ukrainian sovereignty.Robert Fico, who came to office in October after campaigning to sever his nation’s military aid to Kyiv and oppose further sanctions against Russia, on Wednesday met his Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal in the city of Uzhhorod, near the Slovak border.
Fico claimed there were only “minor” political differences with Kyiv, which were part of “political life”, adding: “We really want to assist you, we really want to help you.”Shmyhal responded that he stood ready to develop “pragmatic and very reliable relations” between the two countries.Shmyhal later said in a statement that Fico had pledged not to stop Slovak companies from supplying weapons to Ukraine and help build its defences. Bratislava will also back Kyiv’s EU membership bid and funding, the Ukrainian prime minister said.
Fico’s promises in Ukraine stand in stark contrast with provocative comments he made in recent days, prompting authorities in Kyiv to ask for a rebuttal and analysts to cast doubt about the meeting going ahead.Over the weekend, Fico questioned the sovereignty of Ukraine, claiming that it was under the “absolute influence of the United States”. He called on Kyiv to cede territory to Russia to bring the war to an end and said Slovakia would oppose Ukraine joining Nato, as such a move could trigger a third world war.On Tuesday, he went even further, by suggesting there was no war happening in Kyiv at all. When asked why he was only travelling to Uzhhorod and not as far as the capital, Fico said: “Do you really believe there is a war in Kyiv? I hope you’re not being serious . . . Life is perfectly normal there.”Fico’s unfounded claim coincided with a wave of Russian missile attacks on Kyiv and other cities that the Ukrainian authorities said killed 18 people and targeted civilian buildings.“There has been a big discrepancy between Fico’s rhetoric inside and outside the country,” said Pavol Demeš, a former Slovak foreign minister. “I think Ukraine has been very skilfully working on not escalating these kinds of tensions, but the number of malignant statements made by Fico recently has been mind-boggling for many of us who have worked in foreign policy because he ruined the image of our country before an important visit.”
​
The populist Fico returned to the Slovak premiership in October as leader of a three-party coalition that stoked up anti-Ukrainian sentiment. He had previously served three times as prime minister, most recently until 2018 when he stepped down amid anti-government protests.The opposition has long accused him of using Russian help in getting re-elected. His anti-Ukraine comments showed that “he is simply paying back the debt to Russia for their support before Slovakia’s election”, said Jaroslav Naď, a former Slovak defence minister. Fico has denied any Russian meddling in his election win.Fico has also alarmed Brussels by teaming up with Viktor Orbán, Hungary’s pro-Russia prime minister. Their partnership could complicate the EU’s efforts to maintain united support for Ukraine. “Ukraine has no military solution and the current strategy is not working,” Fico said in Budapest last week.But as with overall support for Ukraine, Fico has also shifted in his approach towards military exports. Last year he condemned the previous government for supplying MiG-29 fighter aircraft to Kyiv and promised instead a ban on weapons exports as soon as he took office. But in November, the government said the ban only applied to state-owned manufacturers, not private companies. The Slovak parliament further relaxed the rules this month, while the defence ministry granted €100mn in subsidies to defence manufacturers.
Yeah, Ukraine was in the USSR long enough to also know how Kompromat works /s
Woah. Wtf? Okay.
What a snake…
im actually convinced this guy just sleeps all day and didnt believe there was war in ukraine until he visited
Seems to me like both him and Orban couldn’t care less about either Ukraine or ruzzia. They just sway whichever way lands more cash in their pockets.
Its rather simple to understand:
a) his anti-Ukraine talks are for domestic audience. Those people voted for him based on his anti-UA and pro-RF talks
b) in reality he is aware that going full pro RF means cutting funds from EU etc.. therefore hes not doing that. Also, most people who voted for him likely dont follow international politics in detail to notice
What turn he will do in future?
When he visits eg. Orban or Erdogan or even (not absolutely impossible) Putin?
Slovaks are generally reasonable people… But this guy statements an apearance are in line with … Retired marketplace vegetable smuggler changing prices based on clothes and shoes you wear.
This is not u-turn. This is his policy and it has been clear since before the election. People are too quick to jump on a hate train after which they hear or see nothing but their own propaganda.
What a little bitch
He tends to make U turns nearly every day. Do not believe anything he says..
This dudes multiple personality disorder is quite impressive. He should be put into a lab to study.
This is the roller coaster thrill ride that is populism! You say whatever those around you want to hear. In other words, idiocy !
I assume ukraine paid the shit a million dollars or more to play ball. He looks like the kind to do that type of negotiating.
Sus…..
Yeah cause he is a total snake and has no morals. He likely intends to just play both sides to get more money from the EU because that’s all these guys are. Shills and snakes who just want money while decrying the people who give it to him. Slovakia really screwed up picking this guy.
Remember, Fico always sings the tune of the audience which is paying for his performance. Why do you think he is spewing all this pro-pidaruski bullshit? 🙂 He’s no different than Putin, a faceless clown whose words hold no value. He’s not a man, he’s a slimy bootlicker.
dear mr schmyhal. as a slovak i would strongly recommend you to wash your hand. that fico guy is like a baby that erdogan and orban made many years ago.
Dont believe The douche a word.
I lived in Slovakia back when Fico was first the PM. My friends played in a charity football match, between foreign embassy employees and the Slovak government. They said even though it was a friendly game, Fico was dirty as hell, grabbing and slide tackling people.
One guy did a slide tackle back to Fico and was pulled from the match by his coach, to protect him.
In Flanders we call such a person a “windhaan”, which is the rooster on top of a church that indicates the wind. Because it’s a person that turns to wherever the wind is blowing.
Someone reached up his @$$ and pulled his head out?
24 comments
Slovakia’s prime minister U-turns on Ukraine support during visit
Russia-friendly Robert Fico pledges backing to Kyiv on his first trip to the war-torn country
Slovakia’s Russia-friendly prime minister has made an unexpected U-turn on Ukraine, pledging support on his first trip to the war-torn country only days after questioning Ukrainian sovereignty.Robert Fico, who came to office in October after campaigning to sever his nation’s military aid to Kyiv and oppose further sanctions against Russia, on Wednesday met his Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal in the city of Uzhhorod, near the Slovak border.
Fico claimed there were only “minor” political differences with Kyiv, which were part of “political life”, adding: “We really want to assist you, we really want to help you.”Shmyhal responded that he stood ready to develop “pragmatic and very reliable relations” between the two countries.Shmyhal later said in a statement that Fico had pledged not to stop Slovak companies from supplying weapons to Ukraine and help build its defences. Bratislava will also back Kyiv’s EU membership bid and funding, the Ukrainian prime minister said.
Fico’s promises in Ukraine stand in stark contrast with provocative comments he made in recent days, prompting authorities in Kyiv to ask for a rebuttal and analysts to cast doubt about the meeting going ahead.Over the weekend, Fico questioned the sovereignty of Ukraine, claiming that it was under the “absolute influence of the United States”. He called on Kyiv to cede territory to Russia to bring the war to an end and said Slovakia would oppose Ukraine joining Nato, as such a move could trigger a third world war.On Tuesday, he went even further, by suggesting there was no war happening in Kyiv at all. When asked why he was only travelling to Uzhhorod and not as far as the capital, Fico said: “Do you really believe there is a war in Kyiv? I hope you’re not being serious . . . Life is perfectly normal there.”Fico’s unfounded claim coincided with a wave of Russian missile attacks on Kyiv and other cities that the Ukrainian authorities said killed 18 people and targeted civilian buildings.“There has been a big discrepancy between Fico’s rhetoric inside and outside the country,” said Pavol Demeš, a former Slovak foreign minister. “I think Ukraine has been very skilfully working on not escalating these kinds of tensions, but the number of malignant statements made by Fico recently has been mind-boggling for many of us who have worked in foreign policy because he ruined the image of our country before an important visit.”
​
The populist Fico returned to the Slovak premiership in October as leader of a three-party coalition that stoked up anti-Ukrainian sentiment. He had previously served three times as prime minister, most recently until 2018 when he stepped down amid anti-government protests.The opposition has long accused him of using Russian help in getting re-elected. His anti-Ukraine comments showed that “he is simply paying back the debt to Russia for their support before Slovakia’s election”, said Jaroslav Naď, a former Slovak defence minister. Fico has denied any Russian meddling in his election win.Fico has also alarmed Brussels by teaming up with Viktor Orbán, Hungary’s pro-Russia prime minister. Their partnership could complicate the EU’s efforts to maintain united support for Ukraine. “Ukraine has no military solution and the current strategy is not working,” Fico said in Budapest last week.But as with overall support for Ukraine, Fico has also shifted in his approach towards military exports. Last year he condemned the previous government for supplying MiG-29 fighter aircraft to Kyiv and promised instead a ban on weapons exports as soon as he took office. But in November, the government said the ban only applied to state-owned manufacturers, not private companies. The Slovak parliament further relaxed the rules this month, while the defence ministry granted €100mn in subsidies to defence manufacturers.
Yeah, Ukraine was in the USSR long enough to also know how Kompromat works /s
Woah. Wtf? Okay.
What a snake…
im actually convinced this guy just sleeps all day and didnt believe there was war in ukraine until he visited
Seems to me like both him and Orban couldn’t care less about either Ukraine or ruzzia. They just sway whichever way lands more cash in their pockets.
Its rather simple to understand:
a) his anti-Ukraine talks are for domestic audience. Those people voted for him based on his anti-UA and pro-RF talks
b) in reality he is aware that going full pro RF means cutting funds from EU etc.. therefore hes not doing that. Also, most people who voted for him likely dont follow international politics in detail to notice
What turn he will do in future?
When he visits eg. Orban or Erdogan or even (not absolutely impossible) Putin?
Slovaks are generally reasonable people… But this guy statements an apearance are in line with … Retired marketplace vegetable smuggler changing prices based on clothes and shoes you wear.
This is not u-turn. This is his policy and it has been clear since before the election. People are too quick to jump on a hate train after which they hear or see nothing but their own propaganda.
What a little bitch
He tends to make U turns nearly every day. Do not believe anything he says..
This dudes multiple personality disorder is quite impressive. He should be put into a lab to study.
This is the roller coaster thrill ride that is populism! You say whatever those around you want to hear. In other words, idiocy !
I assume ukraine paid the shit a million dollars or more to play ball. He looks like the kind to do that type of negotiating.
Sus…..
Yeah cause he is a total snake and has no morals. He likely intends to just play both sides to get more money from the EU because that’s all these guys are. Shills and snakes who just want money while decrying the people who give it to him. Slovakia really screwed up picking this guy.
Remember, Fico always sings the tune of the audience which is paying for his performance. Why do you think he is spewing all this pro-pidaruski bullshit? 🙂 He’s no different than Putin, a faceless clown whose words hold no value. He’s not a man, he’s a slimy bootlicker.
dear mr schmyhal. as a slovak i would strongly recommend you to wash your hand. that fico guy is like a baby that erdogan and orban made many years ago.
Dont believe The douche a word.
I lived in Slovakia back when Fico was first the PM. My friends played in a charity football match, between foreign embassy employees and the Slovak government. They said even though it was a friendly game, Fico was dirty as hell, grabbing and slide tackling people.
One guy did a slide tackle back to Fico and was pulled from the match by his coach, to protect him.
In Flanders we call such a person a “windhaan”, which is the rooster on top of a church that indicates the wind. Because it’s a person that turns to wherever the wind is blowing.
Someone reached up his @$$ and pulled his head out?
Getting a page not found error.
This man is a living turd.