Slovakia Not to Participate in Ukraine Financial Aid, Fico Confirms at EU Summit

Brussels, March 21 (TASR) - According to Slovak Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD), the topic of Ukraine dominated Thursday's European Council (EC) summit in Brussels, where, speaking at a press conference afterward, he emphasised that the statement supported by 26 EU-member state leaders contained no provisions binding Slovakia to any commitments, reiterating that Slovakia won't provide any military assistance to Ukraine in the form of donations, TASR has learnt from its special correspondent. In relation to the initiative by EU chief diplomat Kaja Kallas, suggesting that EU-member states should raise between €20-€40 billion as financial aid for Ukraine, Fico praised the "honest" work of Slovakia's representatives and diplomats. He stated that, thanks to their efforts, they managed to secure a provision in the statement specifying that Kallas' proposal would be voluntary, adding that Slovakia would not participate in this fundraising. Fico reiterated that Slovakia supports the expansion of the number of permanent members of the UN Security Council, reminding that Slovakia is campaigning for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council for the years 2028-29. European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde also joined the heads of states and governments. Fico stated that the discussion focused on the eurozone, EU competitiveness, and he took the opportunity to address energy prices. "I want to reject the idea of some prime ministers who say that there's nothing else to do – that we must accept current prices and plan for the future assuming gas will cost what it does now. But we have no reason to pay €40 or €45 per megawatt-hour just because President Zelenskyy decided to stop the gas transit to the West through Slovakia," Fico remarked. Leaders also held informal discussions on the EU’s next multiannual financial framework. European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen, is expected to present the first budget proposal this summer. Fico emphasised the need to address the €750 billion allocated to the NextGenerationEU fund, as well as increased defence spending and EU expansion, particularly with regard to Ukraine. lin