Slovakia's Fico warns against growing 'Russophobia' in EU
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico warned on Saturday that what he described as growing "Russophobia" could increasingly influence European Union policy, urging the bloc to prioritise diplomacy with Russia over confrontation.
Speaking in Banska Bystrica during commemorations marking the 82nd anniversary of the Slovak National Uprising, Fico said the EU should remain a "peace project" focused on diplomacy and economic recovery.
"Russia should be criticised when it makes mistakes, but Russia cannot be demonised and pushed out of Europe," Fico said. "The European Union does not need more weapons and Russophobia."
Fico also warned that while Nazi Germany had been defeated militarily during the Second World War, Nazi ideology had not been completely eradicated from society and could re-emerge in different forms.
He cited a journalist's question during an August 8 press conference in Belgrade with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. The journalist asked what Europeans could do to help Ukraine "kill more Russians", later clarifying that he meant Russian soldiers.
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Fico described the exchange as evidence of a growing "militant atmosphere" and hatred towards Russia. He warned that the greatest danger would be if what he called "dark ideas" and "returns to the past" began influencing EU decisions.
The Slovak prime minister has repeatedly opposed expanding European military support for Ukraine.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
