Slovak PM Fico claims NATO leaders focused on satisfying Trump at Ankara summit
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Saturday that a dispute between the United States and Spain, along with what he described as NATO leaders' efforts to appease US President Donald Trump, overshadowed the alliance's summit in Ankara.
"The summit was overshadowed by a hard-to-understand kowtowing to the American president in the spirit of 'just let the president be satisfied' and the conflict between the United States and Spain," Fico said in a recorded address.
During the summit, Trump criticised Spain, calling it a "wasted cause" and announcing a halt to US trade with the country after Madrid resisted US calls to increase defence spending and support military action against Iran.
Fico said the meeting also showed that some NATO members were interested in opening dialogue with Russia, a position Slovakia has long supported.
He reiterated that Slovakia would not contribute to NATO's €70 billion military aid package for Ukraine or the EU's €90 billion military loan.
"We are in favour of cooperation, dialogue and humanitarian aid; however, we are not in favour of war," Fico said.
NATO leaders agreed during the July 7-8 summit to provide €70 billion in military equipment, assistance and training for Ukraine in 2026, with a commitment to maintain similar support in 2027.
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