Before the EU summit / Fico will not support the conclusions regarding Ukraine. He is bothered that there will be no mention of the Druzhba pipeline.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has expressed his intention not to support the EU summit conclusions regarding Ukraine, criticizing the exclusion of the Druzhba pipeline from the agenda.
In a parliamentary committee discussion, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced that he would not back the EU summit conclusions concerning Ukraine due to the absence of a reference to the Druzhba pipeline in the proposed resolutions. Fico highlighted that Slovakia had requested the inclusion of the Druzhba pipeline, but this request has been turned down for unexplained reasons, prompting his decision to vote against the conclusions being prepared by 25 EU member states, which may also see Hungary abstain from signing.
Fico criticized the Ukrainian side's claims regarding damage to the Druzhba pipeline, suggesting that he believes it is part of political maneuvering connected to the Hungarian elections rather than a genuine concern. He expressed skepticism about the situation, revealing his belief that it is a game that could significantly harm all parties involved. His remarks implied a sense of mistrust toward Ukraine and uncertainty about the Hungarian political landscape, particularly concerning the potential for new leadership to alter Hungary's financial commitments to Ukraine.
Moreover, Fico raised concerns about the broader implications of these developments on Slovakia's relations within the EU framework. His reluctance to support the conclusions signifies a fracture in consensus on how EU member states approach issues related to Ukraine and energy supplies, which could indicate deeper geopolitical divisions. The situation remains tense as Slovakia navigates its position amid evolving EU dynamics and Hungary's internal politics.