In a radio interview, Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico stated that he would veto Ukraine's NATO membership.
"The party that holds the majority in the Slovak government will not agree to Ukraine's NATO membership, as that would be the beginning of World War III," he said.
Fico opposes Ukraine joining NATO and claims to have expressed this stance in a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. He is less concerned about Ukraine joining the EU, noting it could take years.
"If making an overstated political gesture was necessary to support Ukraine, I would have no issue with that...but Ukraine would have to meet all the conditions," Fico said.
The pro-Russian politician Robert Fico won Slovakia's parliamentary elections this fall. He and other Slovakian officials have repeatedly stated they would halt weapons supplies to Ukraine. However, Kyiv says it does not foresee problems with Fico's government.
Ukraine applied to join NATO over a year ago but has not received an invitation yet. Meanwhile, at last week's summit, the European Union decided to start membership talks with Ukraine on the condition it meets several requirements.
Read more:
- Duda: Ukraine in NATO, EU vital for Poland's security
- First NATO-Ukraine Council meeting with Chiefs of Defence
- Who is Robert Fico? Slovak leader's ties with Russia exposed in hacked files
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