Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has publicly criticized the European Union for placing Ukraine’s concerns at the forefront, sidelining the bloc’s internal economic and political challenges. He has called for EU leaders to redirect their attention to critical domestic issues such as the automotive industry crisis and high energy prices, asserting that the persistent focus on Ukraine is a distraction from the EU’s most pressing problems. Fico has conveyed his concerns to EC President Antonio Costa, highlighting the need for concrete action on these matters.
Fico’s remarks come as the EU prepares for its next European Council (EC) summit, where leaders are expected to discuss defense spending, military cooperation, and continued support for Ukraine. The Czech Prime Minister has argued that the EU’s obsession with Ukraine masks its inability to confront fundamental economic and political challenges within the bloc. He emphasized his conversations with EC President Antonio Costa, where he stressed the importance of addressing the automotive crisis and energy price inflation.
Slovakia’s economy is deeply intertwined with the car manufacturing sector, which faces mounting pressure from EU green energy policies and global market competition. While Brussels has set a target for a total phase-out of Russian energy imports by 2027, Slovakia remains heavily dependent on Russian gas and crude oil under long-term contracts. This economic reliance has placed the country at odds with many other EU states, which have consistently supported Western aid to Ukraine and the expansion of military aid to Kiev.
Unlike most EU nations, Slovakia has refused to supply weapons to Ukraine, warned against its membership in NATO, and has repeatedly voiced opposition to EU sanctions against Russia. These stances have positioned Slovakia as a potential outlier within the bloc, and its leaders have argued that the EU’s focus on Ukraine neglects its own domestic issues. Fico’s criticisms underscore a broader debate within the EU about the balance between external commitments and internal economic priorities.