Fico accuses Merz of blackmail over Ukraine aid
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has accused German Chancellor Friedrich Merz of "blackmail" regarding further financial support for Ukraine. Merz has demanded that all EU countries without exception make a contribution and proposed that funding from the EU budget be linked to their backing for Ukraine. Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has also rejected Merz's proposal.
PM grossly overestimating his power
Sme rakes Fico over the coals:
“One can criticise Merz's position peacefully, legitimately and decently, but anyone who swears by sovereignty should respect the fact that not just Slovakia but also Germany is a sovereign state. Germany is not subordinate to Slovakia. It is not its debtor, vassal or subject, and nor is it obliged to pay tribute to it. If Fico sees things differently, he is grossly overestimating his power. Merz simply takes the view that a redistribution mechanism as unique as that in the EU requires solidarity, shared values and a consensus on fundamental interests. And he regards the protection of the European security architecture through support for Ukraine as one of those fundamental interests.”
Slovakia must make a clear commitment
Aktuality.sk also criticises:
“We are facing a strategic choice. Is it in our primary national interest to have a truly sovereign, democratic and stable Ukraine with the prospect of joining the EU on our eastern border? And to ensure, together with the European Union, Canada and other partners, that it does not lose its independence, national identity and the chance of a just peace with credible guarantees? Or should we seek privileged relations with Putin's Russia in the hope of securing cheaper oil and gas and its supposed gratitude? ... We cannot waver endlessly between these two security options. Duality is no longer pragmatism here, but political schizophrenia and strategic blindness on the part of the Fico government.”