Slovakian Prime Minister Points Out NATO's 'Failed Strategy' Against Russia

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who took office last October promising to stop sending weapons to Kiev, said Western leaders had “repeatedly erred” in their assessment of the war between Russia and Ukraine.

In an article published in the Slovak newspaper Pravda.sk on January 9, Mr. Fico declared that the West's strategy had failed.

He cited Kiev's inability to mount a meaningful counterattack despite receiving billions of dollars in military aid, while Moscow continues to control parts of Ukraine and the Russian economy has not been crippled by sanctions.

The West’s “failed strategy” toward Russia is “starting to cause wrinkles on my forehead,” Mr. Fico, a member of Slovakia’s left-wing Smer Party, said in his op-ed.

“The West, instead of immediately making every effort to achieve a quick ceasefire in early 2022, made a huge mistake,” he explained. “The West misjudged the use of military force to bring Russia to its knees.”

He also wrote about rejecting a “black and white view” of the war, arguing that US influence over the Kiev government, starting in 2014, was the source of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“Russia has responded to the security situation and pressure on Ukraine to join NATO by violating international law, using military force without an international mandate,” Fico wrote, arguing that this is how major powers usually act, and that Moscow “also needs to ensure security.”

World - Slovakian Prime Minister points out NATO's — Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (center), in Bratislava, Slovakia, on October 1, 2023, declared that he would “not send a single box of ammunition” to Ukraine again. Photo: Shutterstock

In his editorial, Mr. Fico also wrote that he was not happy that his country was considered Russia's “mortal enemy,” and that despite sweeping sanctions, Russia's military and economy continued to survive.

“The facts are indisputable,” the head of the Slovak government wrote. “Russia has complete military control over the territories, and attempts to convince the international community of the demoralization of Russian soldiers and the enormous human losses are increasingly being exposed as empty demagogic wishful thinking.”

The Slovak leader predicted that continued Western military aid to Ukraine would be useless, although he was not opposed to the European Union's (EU) proposal for 50 billion euros ($55 billion) in military aid to Kiev.

Some experts point out that despite his fiery rhetoric, Prime Minister Fico is unlikely to directly oppose the Western consensus in practical steps. EU aid to Ukraine remains stalled due to Hungary’s sole objection.

The Slovak leader also said that he is not against Ukraine becoming an EU member if Kiev meets all the criteria for accession.

While NATO members remain steadfast in their support for Ukraine, some countries have faced obstacles in sending more military aid. US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said last week that Washington would not continue to provide Kiev with military assistance at the current level.

Instead, the ultimate goal, according to Mr. Miller, would be to help Ukraine “stand on its own two feet” with its own military-industrial base.

Republican lawmakers have rejected President Joe Biden’s request for additional funding for Ukraine. And some Republicans say Ukraine should move toward reaching a deal with Russia in the near future.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said the war will not end until all Russian-controlled territory is returned to Kiev .

Minh Duc (According to Newsweek, Kyiv Independent)

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