Stay informed with free updates Simply sign up to the War in Ukraine myFT Digest — delivered directly to your inbox. Slovakia’s pro-Russia prime minister has made an unexpected change in his stance on Ukraine, pledging support on his initial trip to the war-torn country only a few days after casting doubt on Ukrainian sovereignty. Robert Fico, who assumed office in October after campaigning to cut off his country’s military aid to Kyiv and oppose further sanctions against Russia, met with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on Wednesday in the city of Uzhhorod near the Slovak border. Fico claimed there were only “minor” political differences with Kyiv, which were part of “political life”, adding: “We really want to assist you, we really want to help you.” Shmyhal expressed readiness to develop “pragmatic and very reliable relations” between the two countries. Shmyhal later stated that Fico had promised not to block Slovak companies from supplying weapons to Ukraine and to help enhance its defenses. Bratislava will also support Kyiv’s EU membership bid and funding, the Ukrainian prime minister said. Fico’s commitments in Ukraine sharply contrast with provocative remarks he made recently, leading authorities in Kyiv to request a clarification and analysts to question whether the meeting would proceed. Over the weekend, Fico questioned Ukraine’s sovereignty, claiming that it was under the “absolute influence of the United States”. He called on Kyiv to give up territory to Russia to end the war and said Slovakia would oppose Ukraine joining Nato, as such a move could spark a third world war. On Tuesday, he went even further, suggesting there was no war occurring in Kyiv at all. When asked why he was only traveling to Uzhhorod and not to the capital, Fico said: “Do you really believe there is a war in Kyiv? I hope you’re not being serious . . . Life is perfectly normal there.” Fico’s unfounded claim coincided with a wave of Russian missile attacks on Kyiv and other cities that Ukrainian authorities said killed 18 people and targeted civilian buildings. “There has been a big discrepancy between Fico’s rhetoric inside and outside the country,” said Pavol Demeš, a former Slovak foreign minister. “I think Ukraine has been very skillfully working on not escalating these kinds of tensions, but the number of malignant statements made by Fico recently has been mind-boggling for many of us who have worked in foreign policy because he ruined the image of our country before an important visit.” Recommended
The populist Fico returned to the Slovak premiership in October as leader of a three-party coalition that stoked up anti-Ukrainian sentiment. He had previously served three times as prime minister, most recently until 2018 when he stepped down amid anti-government protests. The opposition has long accused him of using Russian help in getting re-elected. His anti-Ukraine comments showed that “he is simply paying back the debt to Russia for their support before Slovakia’s election”, said Jaroslav Naď, a former Slovak defense minister. Fico has denied any Russian meddling in his election win. Fico has also alarmed Brussels by teaming up with Viktor Orbán, Hungary’s pro-Russia prime minister. Their partnership could complicate the EU’s efforts to maintain united support for Ukraine. “Ukraine has no military solution and the current strategy is not working,” Fico said in Budapest last week. But as with overall support for Ukraine, Fico has also shifted in his approach towards military exports. Last year he condemned the previous government for supplying MiG-29 fighter aircraft to Kyiv and promised instead a ban on weapons exports as soon as he took office. But in November, the government said the ban only applied to state-owned manufacturers, not private companies. The Slovak parliament further relaxed the rules this month, while the defense ministry granted €100mn in subsidies to defense manufacturers.
