Fico says Slovakia will not block start of negotiations on Ukraine's EU membership

He stated this in a speech to members of the European Committee of the Slovak Parliament.

"We will not interfere with the EU's decision to start negotiations with Ukraine. This is a political decision, it has nothing to do with reality. Ukraine is absolutely not ready to open negotiations," Fico said.

On November 8, the European Commission recommended starting the process of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU.

Slovakia's position on the war in Ukraine and EU accession

On October 26, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico told the European Commission that he would not provide military aid to Ukraine. The country will limit itself to humanitarian support. This was part of his election campaign, which helped Fico win the parliamentary elections.

The politician also said that 50 billion euros of EU aid to Ukraine should include guarantees that the funds will not be misappropriated. Robert Fico called Ukraine one of the most corrupt countries in the world.

On November 6, the head of the Slovak government clarified that he would not prohibit private companies from providing weapons to Ukraine.

In early November, Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar said that he did not believe in Ukraine's victory on the battlefield.

Blanar also said that he could not imagine Ukraine in the European Union. "This is a really serious question. Well, under the current circumstances, I cannot imagine it. I wonder how, for example, Mrs. (European Commission President - ed.) Ursula von der Leyen will justify the proposal for membership or the start of negotiations on Ukraine's membership in the European Union and answer the question of how we can start negotiations with a country that is in a military conflict," the diplomat said.