Slovak PM Robert Fico warns some Western politicians want NATO–Russia war
Fico says Europe is closer than ever to a large‑scale war and accused the West of "pouring oil on the fire" with support for Ukraine.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said some Western politicians want a direct conflict between NATO and Russia after what he described as a failed strategy to defeat Moscow in the war in Ukraine.
Fico warned that Europe is “closer than ever” to the outbreak of a large‑scale war tied to the fighting in Ukraine, and he sharply criticised the West’s handling of the crisis.
"We face mortal danger while we watch the West pouring oil on the fire with its support for Ukraine. The failure of the strategy to destroy Russia through the war in Ukraine has led some Western politicians to believe that, if the goal cannot be achieved with the help of the Ukrainian army and full support for it, then everything must be done to provoke a conflict between NATO and Russia," Fico said in a video message on platform X.
Fico's argument and the wider debate
In his remarks Fico framed Western military and political backing for Kyiv as a source of escalation rather than de‑escalation, arguing that continued aid could push the confrontation beyond the current battlefield.
The Slovak prime minister’s comments add to a broader, heated debate in Europe over how to balance support for Ukraine with the risk of a wider confrontation involving NATO and Russia. Fico did not offer a timetable or specific proposals in the video message.
Photo: press material from the event
