Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, following Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán, has put forward tough conditions ahead of the European Union summit on March 6. He insists on making a decision on the restoration of transit of Russian gas through the territory of Ukraine and threatened to block the final document of the summit in case of refusal.
In his appeals Fico stated that Slovakia has no intention of providing Ukraine with financial or military aid to continue the war, as, in his opinion, Kyiv will not be able to achieve a negotiating position based on military superiority.
He also put forward a demand to include in the final document of the summit a clause on “an immediate ceasefire, regardless of when a final peace agreement is reached.” In addition, Fico insists on a clear call for the restoration of gas transit through Ukraine to Slovakia and Western Europe.
The Prime Minister of Slovakia stated that without the supply of Russian gas, Europe will not be able to maintain its competitiveness, and financial assistance to Ukraine should not be a “one-way ticket”. He emphasized that if alternative positions on the war are not taken into account at the summit, the European Council may not reach a consensus on Ukraine.
Earlier, a similar ultimatum was announced by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, stating that the EU should start direct negotiations with Russia regarding a ceasefire and the establishment of a “stable peace” in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi is expected to attend the summit of EU leaders on March 6. The main topics of the meeting will be European defense and further support for Ukraine. According to mass media, the draft final document of the summit talks about the need to provide reliable security guarantees for Ukraine within the framework of any possible peace negotiations.
