Fico criticizes Europeans for 'unwillingness' to end war in Ukraine

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in his New Year address criticized Europeans for their alleged unwillingness to put an end to the war in Ukraine, and Slovaks for disagreeing with his course.

He published the address on Facebook, Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"I am shocked by the ease and calculation with which many people in the European Union watch the senseless killing of Ukrainians and Russians, our close Slavic peoples," Fico said.

He called on his compatriots to jointly strive for peace, emphasizing that "peace is not an empty word."

He recalled that 2026 will be an election year and, in his view, there will be a rise in tension "with attempts to transfer political struggle to the streets."

Fico announced that in 2026 domestic policy would focus on searching for resources to support economic growth, while foreign policy would involve a number of measures and high-level meetings aimed at economic cooperation.

"And most importantly, I will not get involved in political squabbles," Fico assured. He also called for respect for freedom of speech and opinion and for "ending dehumanizing attacks on those citizens who support the current government."

As Ukrinform reported, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski "awarded" the Order of Lenin to a post by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban about blocking a loan to Ukraine using frozen Russian assets.

Photo: Office of the President