Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico is drawing a hard line ahead of the upcoming Brussels summit, making it clear he won't support any European Union measures that funnel more money into Ukraine's military operations. And he's not budging, even if it means camping out in Brussels through New Year's.
During a Friday phone call with European Council President Antonio Costa, Fico laid out his position bluntly. He told Costa he would oppose any proposals to boost Ukraine's military spending, "even if we have to sit in Brussels until the New Year." That's the kind of commitment that suggests long nights and cold coffee in conference rooms.
Reconstruction Yes, Weapons No
Fico clarified his stance during Question Time in Slovakia's National Council on Thursday. He emphasized that Slovakia remains a "solidarity player" when it comes to humanitarian aid for Ukraine and supports the country's eventual EU membership. The issue, he says, is specifically about military spending.
Instead, Fico offered an alternative approach: supporting Ukraine's reconstruction through direct bilateral negotiations between the Slovak and Ukrainian governments. It's a distinction that matters to him, drawing a line between rebuilding infrastructure and funding warfare.
A Blunt Critique of EU Strategy
In a letter distributed to Costa and all EU prime ministers, Fico didn't mince words about the bloc's approach to the Ukraine conflict. He argued that the war has no military solution and described the EU's current strategy as both incorrect and ineffective.
According to Fico, continuing the war amounts to "senseless killing" that doesn't actually improve Ukraine's bargaining position for eventual peace talks. He also threw his support behind U.S. President Donald Trump's initiatives to end the conflict.
The Long War Ahead
The Russia-Ukraine war has only intensified since it started in 2022, with both sides digging in. Trump, who recently proposed a 28-point plan to end the fighting, is reportedly growing frustrated with stalled negotiations between Washington, Moscow, and Kyiv.
Adding to the complexity, former Russian central bank deputy chairman Sergey Aleksashenko said Friday that Russia has the financial capacity to keep funding the war for at least another two to three years, possibly longer. That timeline suggests this conflict isn't ending anytime soon, regardless of diplomatic efforts.