Robert Fico says Slovakia ready to 'take over' from Hungary and block EU 90bn loan to Ukraine
Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico has said he is willing to follow Hungary's lead and block a €90bn EU loan to Ukraine if Viktor Orban's Fidesz party loses the April election, notes Ukrainian Pravda.
Fico said he plans to discuss suspending operations on the Drujba oil pipeline at an upcoming meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. He said he would offer Slovakia's services if “any screws need to be tightened” regarding the Ukraine pipeline.
“But the most important message will be that Slovakia is willing to take over from Hungary if necessary,” Fico said
He pointed out that the 90 billion euro loan granted by the EU to Ukraine is currently blocked.
“However, I am not naive. The Ukrainian president recently talked about resuming supplies in a month and a half. That is, after the Hungarian elections, where he is counting on an opposition victory. Then there will be no chance of receiving oil from the east. Unless someone else takes over Hungary's baton,” Fico said, suggesting that Slovakia could take over that role.
Hungary's parliamentary elections will take place on April 12, and Orban's party, Fidesz, is not faring well in the polls.
He added that blocking this “huge military gift to Ukraine is a legitimate tool for resuming oil supplies.”
“In any case, the ball is now in the European Union's court,” added the Slovak prime minister.
On March 6, the European Commission confirmed that Robert Fico had requested a meeting with Ursula von der Leyen, which would take place soon.
Fico also said he plans to coordinate his position with the European Commission on the Drujba oil pipeline ahead of any meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
