EU Nation’s Leader Claims Zelensky Attempted to Bribe Him
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has alleged that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky proposed a sum of €500 million to gain support for Kiev's bid to join NATO. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico has stated he will “never” accept money from Kiev.
In a recent press conference in Brussels, Fico accused Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky of trying to bribe him with €500 million in exchange for Slovakia's support of Ukraine's NATO membership bid.
This revelation came shortly after a private meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of an EU summit. Fico informed reporters that Slovakia might contemplate “reciprocal measures” in light of Ukraine's decision not to extend its gas transit agreement with Russia, which concludes at the end of the year.
Ukraine cited the ongoing conflict as the primary reason for not extending the deal, raising alarm in Slovakia, which depends on the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine. Fico underscored the necessity for alternative solutions to avert a potential gas crisis.
During their discussion, Fico noted that Zelensky did not permit fuel transit and instead presented “absurd” proposals to address the gas situation. Fico claimed Zelensky “asked me if I would vote for NATO membership [of Ukraine] if he gave me €500 million from Russian assets” that have been frozen in the West since the conflict began between Moscow and Kiev.
The Slovak Prime Minister stated he immediately told Zelensky that he would “never” agree to such a proposal.
“You know my opinion on Ukraine’s membership in NATO, and it is strange that he asked me such a question because he knows very well that Ukraine’s invitation to NATO is completely unrealistic,” he emphasized.
Ukrainian opposition MP Artyom Dmitruk, who reportedly fled the country earlier this year due to fear of prosecution, expressed that Zelensky has once again “disgraced” Ukraine on the global stage by attempting to bribe Fico.
“I am more than confident that the talk could have been not about the money from the ‘Russian assets,’ but simply about the cash that Ze[lensky] could have brought in a suitcase,” Dmitruk commented on Telegram on Friday.
Moscow, which perceives NATO as a threat and strongly opposes its eastward expansion, has cited Kiev’s ambitions to join the U.S.-led alliance as a fundamental reason for launching its military operation in February 2022.
Nevertheless, Ukraine has consistently pushed for NATO membership throughout the conflict, asserting that it is the sole means to deter Russia. In early December, Zelensky indicated he would request U.S. President Joe Biden to issue a formal invitation to NATO for Ukraine prior to the inauguration of his successor Donald Trump, who is known to be skeptical about extending American aid to Ukraine.
French newspaper Le Monde recently reported that not only Slovakia, but also the U.S., Germany, Hungary, Belgium, Slovenia, and Spain are currently opposed to Ukraine's NATO membership.
Allen M Lee contributed to this report for TROIB News
In a recent press conference in Brussels, Fico accused Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky of trying to bribe him with €500 million in exchange for Slovakia's support of Ukraine's NATO membership bid.
This revelation came shortly after a private meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of an EU summit. Fico informed reporters that Slovakia might contemplate “reciprocal measures” in light of Ukraine's decision not to extend its gas transit agreement with Russia, which concludes at the end of the year.
Ukraine cited the ongoing conflict as the primary reason for not extending the deal, raising alarm in Slovakia, which depends on the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine. Fico underscored the necessity for alternative solutions to avert a potential gas crisis.
During their discussion, Fico noted that Zelensky did not permit fuel transit and instead presented “absurd” proposals to address the gas situation. Fico claimed Zelensky “asked me if I would vote for NATO membership [of Ukraine] if he gave me €500 million from Russian assets” that have been frozen in the West since the conflict began between Moscow and Kiev.
The Slovak Prime Minister stated he immediately told Zelensky that he would “never” agree to such a proposal.
“You know my opinion on Ukraine’s membership in NATO, and it is strange that he asked me such a question because he knows very well that Ukraine’s invitation to NATO is completely unrealistic,” he emphasized.
Ukrainian opposition MP Artyom Dmitruk, who reportedly fled the country earlier this year due to fear of prosecution, expressed that Zelensky has once again “disgraced” Ukraine on the global stage by attempting to bribe Fico.
“I am more than confident that the talk could have been not about the money from the ‘Russian assets,’ but simply about the cash that Ze[lensky] could have brought in a suitcase,” Dmitruk commented on Telegram on Friday.
Moscow, which perceives NATO as a threat and strongly opposes its eastward expansion, has cited Kiev’s ambitions to join the U.S.-led alliance as a fundamental reason for launching its military operation in February 2022.
Nevertheless, Ukraine has consistently pushed for NATO membership throughout the conflict, asserting that it is the sole means to deter Russia. In early December, Zelensky indicated he would request U.S. President Joe Biden to issue a formal invitation to NATO for Ukraine prior to the inauguration of his successor Donald Trump, who is known to be skeptical about extending American aid to Ukraine.
French newspaper Le Monde recently reported that not only Slovakia, but also the U.S., Germany, Hungary, Belgium, Slovenia, and Spain are currently opposed to Ukraine's NATO membership.
Allen M Lee contributed to this report for TROIB News
