Slowakei: Fico sieht „Kriegstreiber“ in NATO

The Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has accused certain Western politicians of seeking a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia. In a video message released Saturday, Fico criticized these individuals for pushing toward a conflict between the alliance and Moscow, following the failure of strategies aimed at defeating Russia in the Ukraine War. He stated that continued Western support for Kyiv is exacerbating the situation. Fico, who maintains good relations with Russia and refuses to provide military aid to Ukraine, emphasized that Slovakia will not participate in such a conflict under any circumstances. He warned against sending troops into battle based on fabricated reasons, stressing that the war in Ukraine is neither Slovakia’s nor NATO’s war. Earlier this week, Fico raised concerns over potential triggers for war, including the activation of NATO's collective defense clause due to drone attacks. He reiterated his stance that Slovakia, which borders Ukraine and is a NATO member, should avoid becoming part of armed conflict. French President Emmanuel Macron recently noted that Russia is intensifying hybrid attacks on Europe, citing an attempt to strike a German airbase in Leipzig in August, attributed to Moscow. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, citing unnamed intelligence services, claimed Russia plans to launch hybrid attacks using drones and projectiles targeting countries supporting Ukraine. Fico highlighted that while some European leaders warn of Russian aggression, he believes the focus should remain on preventing escalation. His comments reflect broader tensions within NATO regarding the direction of policy in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine.