Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico on Saturday (20 January) alleged neighbouring Ukraine was not a sovereign nation but was under the absolute control of the United States, in embrace of a Russian conspiracy theory.
The populist politician, who is against military aid to the war-torn country and opposes sanctions against Russia, also reiterated his opposition to Ukraine’s bid to join NATO.
“Ukraine is not an independent and sovereign country,” Fico told public broadcaster RTVS. “Ukraine is under the total influence and control of the United States.”
Slovakia is a member of both NATO and the European Union.
Fico is due to meet his Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal on Wednesday in the city of Uzhhorod, western Ukraine, on the border with Slovakia.
“I will tell him that I am against the membership of Ukraine in NATO and that I will veto it,” Fico said.
I’m not saying we shouldn’t be in NATO - it’s the current government I have issue with. Without NATO we would be next in line in case Ukraine would fall. Just because our nation is dumb and easily manipulated or bribed by populist decisions doesn’t mean we should be devoured. We will see how things turn out but hopefuly we manage to turn it around.
Because we are usless in the grand scheme of things right now doesn’t mean it should stay that way
Without NATO, EU countries are still legally bound to defend each other in case of aggression by an external actor.