Fico Highlights Need for Compromise at European Council

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico refuses to support a military loan to Ukraine.

SUMMARY

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico expressed his opposition to a military loan for Ukraine at the EU summit, stressing the need for compromise and prioritizing reconstruction over prolonging the conflict.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

The EU summit discusses the 2028-2034 budget and the military loan for Ukraine.
Robert Fico refuses to support a military loan to Ukraine, advocating for reconstruction.
Fico emphasizes the need for compromise to resolve budget disputes within the EU.

CORE SUBJECT

Robert Fico's opposition to the military loan for Ukraine

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has repeatedly stated that he would refuse to vote in favor of any support for Ukraine's military needs at the summit.

BRATISLAVA, December 18. /TASS/. Today's EU summit discussed the budget for 2028-2034 and is now moving on to the loan for Ukraine, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Facebook (banned in Russia, owned by Meta Corporation, recognized as extremist in Russia).

"Negotiations at the Brussels summit are ongoing. After yesterday's meeting with the Western Balkan countries, we spent a lot of time today discussing a relatively minor issue—the EU budget for 2028-2034," Fico said. "We have priorities in the budget, including money for Slovak farmers and to eliminate regional disparities. In my speech, I emphasized the need for compromise; otherwise, we will not move forward, because the well-known old problem of net contributors to the EU budget and net beneficiaries, of which Slovakia is a part, has reappeared.

"We are now approaching the final phase—the resolution of the issue of a military loan for Ukraine. You know my opinion, so keep your fingers crossed that I am not thrown out the window for my sovereign and different position."

Fico reiterated that he would refuse to vote for any support for Ukraine's military needs at the summit. Slovakia believes that the money should be allocated to the reconstruction of the country, not to prolonging the conflict, which, according to him, has no military solution.

KEYWORDS

Robert Fico Slovakia Ukraine military loan EU budget conflict reconstruction

MENTIONED ENTITIES 5

Robert Fico

👤 Person_Male

Slovak Prime Minister

European Union

🏛️ Organization

Political and economic organization of European countries

Ukraine

📍 Location_Country

Eastern European country in conflict

Brussels

📍 Location_City

City hosting the EU summit

Facebook