Slovak PM Fico claims coup threat, vows EU aid veto
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico accused the opposition of preparing a coup. He threatened to veto the European Union's financial aid for Kyiv and reiterated his opposition to Ukraine's membership in NATO.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico made these accusations in a recording released online.
He also threatened to veto the European Union's financial aid for Kyiv and reiterated his opposition to Ukraine joining NATO.
Fico emphasized that his government is prepared for all scenarios, including a potential coup attempt, which he described as being like a "maidan," meaning one carried out through street protests. He accused the opposition, whose leader recently visited Kyiv, of promising support for Ukraine's NATO membership.
Controversial declarations by the prime minister
According to Fico, Michal Shimečka, the leader of the Progressive Slovakia (PS) party, reportedly promised to send soldiers to Ukraine once in power. The Slovak Prime Minister declared that his government would never support Ukraine's membership in NATO because it could lead to the outbreak of a third world war. He also stated that he would never send soldiers to Ukraine to fight against Russians.
Fico also defended his colleague, Vice Chairman of Parliament Tibor Gašpar, who suggested the possibility of Slovakia leaving the EU. The Prime Minister stated that just as the Warsaw Pact disbanded, global events could lead to the breakup of the EU and NATO.
Tense situation: Slovaks take to the streets
The policy of the Slovak Prime Minister has been a topic of heated discussion internationally and domestically for weeks. The situation became more tense after Robert Fico visited Russia.
The Prime Minister's visit to the Kremlin triggered a wave of protests in Slovakia. Thousands of citizens took to the streets of Bratislava to express their opposition to the government's policies. Protesters chanted slogans such as "We are not Russia!" and "We are not Russia's rag!"
