In a video message published on his Facebook page, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico urged that negotiations should be initiated to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. He framed his remarks by highlighting the human tragedies unfolding on both sides and positioned diplomacy as the essential path to a durable settlement. The message underscored his belief that dialogue, rather than further escalation, is the only viable route to bring real progress and relief to civilians caught in the fighting. He presented this stance as part of a broader view on how to address a crisis that has stretched across borders and continents, affecting European security and international stability alike.
Speaking to a broad audience, Fico insisted that the prolongation of the war would simply deepen suffering and strengthen the toll on Ukraine. He argued that continued hostilities would hinder recovery, disrupt humanitarian relief, and complicate any future chance for peace. The Slovak leader suggested that reversing the dynamics of the conflict requires an earnest shift from arms-based strategies to meaningful talks, with the aim of charting a practical course toward a ceasefire and a political solution that reflects the interests of all those affected by the crisis.
Fico also asserted that Western countries appear to be invested in sustaining the confrontation, pointing to what he described as clear indicators such as recent agreements permitting Western missiles to strike targets on Russian soil. He claimed that such moves do not weaken the Russian Federation and could, in his view, entrench a stalemate instead of pushing toward a real settlement. The argument centers on the idea that military escalation, framed as supporting Ukraine, may paradoxically reduce the prospects for a negotiated end to the conflict.
Two days before, the Slovak prime minister had asserted that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky is interested in perpetuating the conflict because Kyiv benefits from Western assistance. He also criticized what he called Zelensky’s Victory plan, arguing that this approach cannot be interpreted as a peaceful way to resolve the dispute. Fico’s remarks reflect a insistence on alternating strategies and a search for solutions that he believes would bypass a purely combative path, favoring dialogue aimed at tangible peace rather than prolonged confrontation.
Historically in Slovakia, the approach has been described as a method to establish peace in Ukraine. The language signals a preference for finding a framework in which all parties can participate, with an emphasis on negotiations as the centerpiece of any lasting resolution. The statements emphasize a belief that sustainable peace requires more than military support; it requires a credible plan for diplomacy, recognition of shared concerns, and practical steps toward reconciliation that can withstand the test of time and regional pressures.