**Slovak PM Fico Sparks Outrage with Comments on Ukraine**
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has made some shocking claims about Ukraine ahead of a crucial meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. In a social media post, Fico said that Ukraine would “have to pay dearly” due to the West’s failure to weaken Russia by using Ukraine as a pawn.
Fico’s comments were widely condemned by Ukrainian officials, who accused him of being “openly offensive” towards Ukraine and its people. The country’s Foreign Ministry slammed his use of an African proverb, which compared Ukraine to grass that suffers while elephants negotiate. This was seen as a cruel reference to the devastating human cost of the conflict.
The tensions between Ukraine and Slovakia come at a time when European countries are divided over how to handle Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. Some nations, like Hungary and Slovakia, have maintained friendly ties with Moscow despite criticism from Kyiv and other Western allies. Fico himself visited Moscow in December and has been working to strengthen ties with Russia.
**Consequences of Fico’s Comments**
The Ukrainian government is likely to be furious about Fico’s comments, which could undermine international support for the country’s efforts to resist Russian aggression. Ukraine has been fighting a full-scale war against Russia for over three years, and any suggestion that it will “have to pay dearly” will be seen as an insult to the thousands of people who have died or been displaced.
Fico’s comments also raise questions about Slovakia’s commitment to European values and its stance on Russian aggression. As a member of the EU, Slovakia is expected to uphold European principles of solidarity and cooperation with neighboring countries. By making such inflammatory comments, Fico has put himself at odds with many of his fellow Europeans who are supporting Ukraine in its time of need.
**What’s Next?**
The scheduled meeting between Trump and Putin on August 15 could be a crucial moment in the conflict. While details of the talks are still unclear, it is thought that Ukraine may not be included as an official participant. However, this does not mean that Ukraine will be ignored or left out of any potential agreements.
As Asami Terajima, a reporter at the Kyiv Independent, pointed out, Fico’s comments have sparked outrage and condemnation from Ukrainian officials. The consequences of his actions could be far-reaching, potentially undermining international support for Ukraine and emboldening Russian aggression.
**Read More**
For more on this story, visit [https://kyivindependent.com/slovakias-fico-claims-ukraine-will-have-to-pay-dearly-ahead-of-putin-trump-meeting/](https://kyivindependent.com/slovakias-fico-claims-ukraine-will-have-to-pay-dearly-ahead-of-putin-trump-meeting/) @ kyivindependent.com
