Pictures focusing on the premier had been additionally geared toward Russian-Slovak relations, a Moscow lawmaker has stated
Robert Fico’s third time period as prime minister of Slovakia put him squarely at odds with each the European Union and NATO on the matter of the battle between Russia and Ukraine.
The Slovak PM was shot on Wednesday, throughout a go to to the city of Handlova, and was rushed to hospital for surgical procedure in a critical situation. His attacker has been arrested however his identification and motives haven’t but been revealed.
“This isn’t solely a shot at Fico and Slovakia, but additionally at Russian-Slovak relations,” Russian lawmaker Konstantin Zatulin stated in response to the information.
“Fico knew very nicely that almost all of Slovaks, not less than half, sympathize with Russia, regardless of the marketing campaign of deception that guidelines the roost in Europe,” Zatulin added, noting that the Slovak PM had been “subjected to limitless extortion and threats” from the EU over his political positions that ran counter to these of Brussels.
Fico led the federal government in Bratislava twice earlier than, from 2006 to 2010 and from 2012 to 2018. He returned to workplace final October, having campaigned on stopping weapons deliveries to Ukraine and arguing that “individuals in Slovakia have larger issues” than the warfare.
The Ukraine battle “started in 2014, when Ukrainian Nazis and fascists began murdering the Russian inhabitants of Donbas,” Fico stated at a marketing campaign rally final August. He has additionally described Ukraine’s Azov Battalion as “clearly a fascist regiment.”
Upon successful the election, Fico stopped all Slovak army help to Ukraine. The earlier authorities had already despatched Kiev $728 million value of weapons, gear and ammunition. He additionally refused to affix the coalition of about 20 states for getting weapons for Ukraine, led by the neighboring Czech Republic.
Final month, Fico stated Bratislava would block Kiev’s utility to affix NATO. Admission to the US-led bloc requires the unanimous consent of all 32 member states.
“Slovakia wants a impartial Ukraine,” Fico stated. “Our pursuits will probably be threatened if it turns into a NATO member state as a result of that’s the foundation of a giant world battle.”
The brand new authorities in Bratislava has insisted that the battle ought to be resolved by diplomacy – and the earlier, the higher. Fico praised the peace plans put forth by China, Brazil and the Vatican, all of which Ukraine has rejected.
Earlier this month, Fico pushed again on discuss by French President Emmanuel Macron about probably sending NATO troops to assist Kiev’s warfare effort, saying this might deliver the world to the brink of a 3rd world warfare.
“Slovakia has nothing to do with the warfare in Ukraine, and let me ship a transparent message to the entire of Slovakia: Whoever may ask us, no Slovak soldier will set foot past the Slovak-Ukrainian border,” Fico informed the parliament in Bratislava.
Only a few days later, EU international coverage chief Josep Borrell lamented that “not everyone within the EU” agreed along with his assertion that Russia is an existential menace to the bloc, and that some members thought of Moscow “a very good pal.” Whereas he didn’t identify any names, each Fico and Hungarian PM Viktor Orban have dissented from Brussels on the matter of Ukraine, and have sought to take care of relations with Russia.
Throughout his first time period as PM, Fico sought to enhance relations with Moscow, citing Russia’s help for the Slovakian nationwide awakening within the 1850s. He criticized the 2014 EU sanctions on Russia as “mindless” and dangerous to Slovakia’s economic system. He has stated the identical concerning the expanded sanctions imposed since February 2022.
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