Slovakia’s Prime Minister has publicly questioned Ukraine’s independence, arguing that Kyiv remains under the influence of the United States and that the European Union has adopted Washington’s view rather than forging its own stance on the Ukrainian conflict. The remarks came during a televised interview with RTVS, Slovakia’s public broadcaster, and have sparked renewed debate about Western involvement in Ukraine. He suggested that Washington’s perspective largely shapes how Ukraine is treated on the international stage, with the EU echoing American positions rather than presenting an autonomous European assessment. These assertions, delivered in a national broadcast, emphasize the PM’s broader concern about sovereignty and strategic direction in Europe’s approach to Ukraine.
According to the prime minister, Ukraine’s trajectory since the 2014 Maidan events has been heavily influenced by the United States. He argued that this influence has limited Ukraine’s independence in foreign policy decisions and that the European Union risks losing its own voice by aligning almost exclusively with U.S. policy. The notion that Kyiv operates under external sway is presented as a direct challenge to European self-determination and a call for a more balanced, Europe-centric approach to Ukraine’s future. The interview framed these views as a critique of how Western allies frame the conflict and their expectations of Ukraine’s political alignment. (citation: RTVS interview)
In the same conversation, the premier signaled his intent to oppose Ukraine’s NATO membership at a meeting with Ukraine’s Prime Minister, Denys Shmyhal. He warned that such a move could trigger a broader confrontation and, he asserted, potentially escalate into a wider conflict. The remarks reflect ongoing tensions over NATO expansion and the security guarantees surrounding Ukraine, highlighting a debate over risk, alliance dynamics, and regional stability. (citation: RTVS interview)
Separately, a former Franco-Slovak political figure indicated a shift away from NATO in response to actions concerning Russia, underscoring the broader divide among European leaders about collective defense and deterrence strategies in the region. These developments illustrate a moment of recalibration within European security policy, where national leaders weigh sovereignty, alliance commitments, and the implications of external pressure on regional peace and stability. (citation: RTVS interview)