Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has announced plans to propose a direct communication line between Ukraine and Russia during the upcoming European Council meeting. This initiative aims to facilitate dialogue amid ongoing tensions.
Fico is set to meet Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Márki-Zay for the first time ahead of the Council session, where he will also engage in discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky regarding the future of relations between their countries.
“I expect that our primary focus will be on Ukraine’s accession process to the European Union,” Fico stated, emphasizing the importance of this dialogue.
The Slovak leader expressed his willingness to support a joint communiqué on Ukraine’s situation following the summit. He underscored the necessity of providing Ukraine with a clear perspective post-conflict, warning that without such a vision, there could be a significant rise in organized crime.
Fico reiterated his support for Ukraine’s EU membership aspirations, stating, “The government I lead will not endorse any reductions or exceptions, nor will it entertain alternatives to the standard accession process. Ukraine must meet all the necessary criteria.”
He further commented on the European Union’s current limitations in mediating peace negotiations regarding Ukraine, calling for a change in the position of the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, currently held by Josep Borrell.
Fico criticized the rejection of former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder as a potential mediator for peace talks, asserting that a negotiator must have a comprehensive understanding of both parties involved. He noted that Schröder’s experience in the region should be reconsidered.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is advocating for a direct communication line between Ukraine and Russia, highlighting the necessity of dialogue amid ongoing tensions. He aims to address Ukraine's EU accession process and the importance of establishing a clear post-conflict perspective for the country.