Fico recounts "shocking" conversation with Koretskyi and refuses to fund Ukraine
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said his country would not take part in providing Ukraine with a new €70 billion loan. He also said he had been shocked by a private conversation with Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi.
Fico made the remarks at a press conference in Bratislava on Tuesday, November 10, Censor.NET reports.
Conversation with Koretskyi
Fico recalled that the Ukrainian and Slovak governments had held joint consultations a few days earlier. He said he had spoken privately with the Ukrainian prime minister during the consultations and that the conversation had shocked him.
"I have no right to disclose what goes on behind closed doors, and I never do, but I had a private conversation with the Ukrainian prime minister, and I was shocked by it. I was literally shocked by what we discussed about the war and what might happen next. I won’t say anything more, and I can’t, because I have to respect the confidentiality of that conversation."
Response to Merz
Fico responded to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who wants all EU countries to help fund Ukraine next year and beyond.
"On behalf of the government of the Slovak Republic, I’m telling Mr. Merz from here in Slovakia that Slovakia will not take part in providing another 70 billion in loans to Ukraine, period. We’re done. I don’t know what happens after that. This is complete nonsense. This whole war is complete nonsense. People are being killed and someone is benefiting from it. For money, for influence. I reject it."
Fico said that if Merz said he would block the EU budget until all member states agreed to a new loan for Ukraine, Slovakia would veto that decision.
"So I’m saying it publicly once again, from here. Slovakia will never support a loan to Ukraine, meaning another 70 billion. If anyone else wants to do it, go ahead. I can’t stop Germany, if it has a lot of money, or France or other countries from giving Ukraine money. Let them do it … I hope I’ve made myself clear and left no room for doubt," Fico added.
Background
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz previously warned that Berlin would block the EU’s next budget for 2028–2034 unless all member states committed to providing financial support to Ukraine in 2027 and beyond.
