LEADERSHIP ⟩ With Orbán or without Orbán

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico spoke about Ukraine again on Saturday. He told public broadcaster RTVS that Ukraine is not an independent and sovereign country, but is under the full influence and control of the United States. He also added that he is ready to veto Ukraine’s membership in NATO because this would lead to World War III. He also reiterated his promise that Ukraine will not receive weapons from the Slovak army and state stockpiles.

When Fico’s left-wing populist Smer party won the Slovak elections last September, there were many views that Hungary led by Viktor Orbán would now have an ally in the EU and NATO. Other observers pointed out that during his previous government Fico had used harsh words, but usually behaved quite pragmatically. At least nothing has changed so far.

Fico promised to end military aid to Ukraine during his election campaign. Any support to Ukraine will be exhausted, but the fact that Slovakia no longer supplies weapons will probably not significantly influence the course of the war. In the EU Council’s December debate on the aid package for Ukraine, Hungary was the only opponent.

However, Fico’s promise to veto Ukraine’s membership in NATO is currently empty. As much as we would like Ukraine to join NATO, there is no consensus among the rest of the alliance. Fico can make all kinds of promises without having to take any concrete steps in the near future. Things will most likely remain this way at least until the end of the war in Ukraine. However, as things currently stand, the end of the war is not in sight.

2024-01-21 19:27:00
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