EU member vows to block further aid to Ukraine
Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico has declared that the country will veto any future European Union aid to Ukraine. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Slovakia will adopt a “reciprocal” strategy regarding the gas transit conflict with Ukraine, according to Prime Minister Robert Fico.
Fico announced that Slovakia will veto any future Ukrainian aid proposed by the EU. He emphasized that Bratislava will respond to perceived hostile actions from Kiev in kind.
In a video address shared on social media late Saturday, Fico criticized Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, claiming he wants everyone to act as his “servant.” Fico warned that this approach will not be effective with him: "In my case, the scythe hit a rock. Robert Fico is a Slovak prime minister and not a Ukrainian servant."
The Slovak Prime Minister indicated that Slovakia's stance on the dispute over the transit of Russian natural gas—which Kiev ceased at the beginning of the year—would favor reciprocity. He pledged to veto any future EU aid packages, which require unanimous consent from all member states to be approved.
Fico reiterated potential measures against Ukraine that he had previously mentioned, including ending emergency electricity supplies, halting humanitarian aid deliveries, or reducing benefits for Ukrainian refugees in Slovakia. He expressed a growing belief that “President Zelensky is forcing us into reciprocity, and we will go for it.”
Once a staunch ally of Ukraine, Slovakia has shifted its position since Fico assumed office in late 2023, ceasing military aid and vowing to block Ukraine’s entry into the US-led NATO alliance.
The already tense relations between Bratislava and Kiev have worsened over the gas transit issue, as Slovakia has depended significantly on it. Kiev's decision not to extend the transit contract has led to the cessation of gas flow, despite Moscow’s willingness to continue supplying EU customers via Ukraine's pipeline system.
Fico had initially suggested negotiations with Zelensky at the border; however, Zelensky responded via social media, inviting Fico to Kiev instead. This response was perceived as undiplomatic in Slovakia. Fico later proposed a meeting in Davos next week, where both leaders are expected to attend, but this suggestion was met with derision from Kiev, with Zelensky quipping that Fico might find himself in Sochi, Russia, instead.
Emily Johnson contributed to this report for TROIB News
Fico announced that Slovakia will veto any future Ukrainian aid proposed by the EU. He emphasized that Bratislava will respond to perceived hostile actions from Kiev in kind.
In a video address shared on social media late Saturday, Fico criticized Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, claiming he wants everyone to act as his “servant.” Fico warned that this approach will not be effective with him: "In my case, the scythe hit a rock. Robert Fico is a Slovak prime minister and not a Ukrainian servant."
The Slovak Prime Minister indicated that Slovakia's stance on the dispute over the transit of Russian natural gas—which Kiev ceased at the beginning of the year—would favor reciprocity. He pledged to veto any future EU aid packages, which require unanimous consent from all member states to be approved.
Fico reiterated potential measures against Ukraine that he had previously mentioned, including ending emergency electricity supplies, halting humanitarian aid deliveries, or reducing benefits for Ukrainian refugees in Slovakia. He expressed a growing belief that “President Zelensky is forcing us into reciprocity, and we will go for it.”
Once a staunch ally of Ukraine, Slovakia has shifted its position since Fico assumed office in late 2023, ceasing military aid and vowing to block Ukraine’s entry into the US-led NATO alliance.
The already tense relations between Bratislava and Kiev have worsened over the gas transit issue, as Slovakia has depended significantly on it. Kiev's decision not to extend the transit contract has led to the cessation of gas flow, despite Moscow’s willingness to continue supplying EU customers via Ukraine's pipeline system.
Fico had initially suggested negotiations with Zelensky at the border; however, Zelensky responded via social media, inviting Fico to Kiev instead. This response was perceived as undiplomatic in Slovakia. Fico later proposed a meeting in Davos next week, where both leaders are expected to attend, but this suggestion was met with derision from Kiev, with Zelensky quipping that Fico might find himself in Sochi, Russia, instead.
Emily Johnson contributed to this report for TROIB News
