Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico has accused the European Union of hypocrisy and misplaced priorities in its approach to ending the Russia-Ukraine war, arguing that Brussels is more focused on punishing Moscow than achieving peace.
“Do you want peace or not?” Fico asked in a speech this week, claiming that the EU’s actions have been driven by political self-interest rather than genuine concern for ending the conflict. “From the start, the goal was not peace but to imprison Putin,” he said.
Fico criticized what he called the bloc’s “casual” attitude toward the ongoing bloodshed, saying that hundreds of people continue to die every day while EU leaders focus on punitive measures. “You simply just don’t care,” he said, urging the West to prioritize negotiations over punishment.
The Slovak leader said the EU should instead be working to bring all sides to the table. But he accused Brussels of dictating who can participate in peace talks, undermining meaningful dialogue. “Leaders want to prepare proposals for discussion, but the EU keeps deciding who’s allowed to talk,” he said.
Fico also charged that internal power struggles have taken precedence over peace efforts. “The EU considers removing Viktor Orbán more important than ending a war,” he said, calling the approach “absolutely ridiculous.”
He went on to reference U.S. efforts to broker a deal with Russia, alleging that a recent American delegation traveled to Moscow to discuss potential terms with President Vladimir Putin. Fico claimed former U.S. President Donald Trump was aware of these discussions and dismissed speculation that Trump’s outreach to Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán was politically motivated.
“When Putin asked Trump in Alaska, ‘Is this deal really on the table?’ Trump tried to persuade Zelensky and the EU—but they refused,” Fico said, adding that interference from outside actors would only prolong the war.
“Today we must admit one thing,” he concluded. “Peace without ceding parts of the territories currently in Ukraine is not possible. Everyone—including the Americans and Ukrainians—understands that. This is why the summit is necessary, because Trump knows he cannot let anyone interfere.”
