The Slovak prime minister castigated the European Union’s emphasis on arms over diplomacy.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has called for a rapid end to the war in Ukraine, arguing that Slovakia’s foreign policy should prioritise stopping the fighting rather than seeking Russia’s defeat. Speaking in a televised debate on 5 October, he described the conflict as “Slavs killing each other” and insisted that war is not a solution.

Fico criticised the European Union’s approach to the conflict, saying Brussels has focused too heavily on military support at the expense of peace efforts. He argued that if the EU had devoted as much energy to diplomacy as it has to arming Ukraine, the war could have ended earlier.

Since returning to office in 2023, Fico has halted deliveries of military equipment to Ukraine from Slovak army stocks and questioned the effectiveness of EU sanctions on Russia. He has also vowed to block Ukraine’s entry into the NATO alliance, positioning Slovakia at odds with the prevailing stance of most EU and NATO members.

Fico deepened engagement with Moscow in December 2024 during a visit aimed at strengthening diplomatic and economic ties. He has also opposed EU plans to phase out Russian energy, reiterating his stance in a speech marking the 130th anniversary of the Maria Valeria Bridge, which links Slovakia with neighbouring Hungary.

The remarks and subsequent policy moves underline a course that diverges from the mainstream EU strategy of sustained military backing for Kyiv and pressure on Moscow. They also highlight continuing divisions within Europe over how to pursue an end to the conflict, with Fico urging negotiations while many partners insist that support for Ukraine remains essential to any durable peace.