"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.

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.

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.

"They will fear that Ukraine will put a heavy burden on the EU budget," Fico said. "Yes, that is the other side of Ukraine's entry into the European Union . Therefore, everything has its time, and Ukraine must be patient. It must be very, very patient," he added.

Fico also questioned the European Union's proposed €90 billion ($103 billion) support package for Ukraine, claiming the bloc was funding Ukrainian weapons production that could later be sold back to EU member states.

"We are already in a mess. If we give someone 90 billion for the production of weapons, for support, for all sorts of things, they will manufacture weapons from it and then sell them back to the European Union," he said.

The Slovak prime minister said Slovakia's presidency of the Visegrad Group (V4) would focus on competitiveness, EU enlargement, people-to-people relations and practical cooperation, while making peace a fifth priority.

The European Union formally opened accession negotiations with Ukraine in June 2024. On Friday, EU member states reached a technical agreement to begin opening another accession negotiating cluster with Ukraine and Moldova, with formal approval expected on July 14.

“The V4 is back. The cooperation of the Visegrad Four has returned,” he said.

Magyar presented the summit as a sign of Hungary’s renewed commitment to regional cooperation following years of strained relations with several European Union partners under former Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

“The Visegrad countries continue to support the European integration of the Western Balkan countries,” he said.

He argued that the stability, development and European aspirations of the Western Balkans are closely linked to Europe’s long-term security and competitiveness.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, whose country is set to assume the V4 presidency from Hungary, said the group was returning at a challenging moment for Europe and the wider world.

“On behalf of the Visegrad Four, I want to say that we do not just want to be objects or subjects of decisions, which they adopt on the grounds of the European Union or other organisations, but we want to be co-creators of these decisions and maximally active participants,” Fico said.

He identified European Union enlargement as a priority for Slovakia’s presidency while stressing that candidate countries must meet the bloc’s accession requirements.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk acknowledged that the four governments continue to hold differing views on several issues but said the V4 could regain influence if cooperation is rebuilt on mutual trust.

“I cannot cooperate with Viktor Orban for the reasons the Hungarians no longer tolerate his leadership,” Tusk said, linking the group's previous difficulties to Hungary’s former leader.

Asked about the absence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky from the upcoming Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdansk, Tusk suggested the decision could help avoid “unnecessary tensions” and “escalation”.

The Ukraine Recovery Conference is scheduled to take place on June 25 and 26 and will be jointly hosted by Poland and Ukraine.

“Our official stance is: let’s diversify the supply options for all fuels, but also keep open the possibility when it comes to Russian oil and gas,” Fico said.

He also criticised what he described as growing U.S. interest in European energy transit infrastructure .

“The Russians will supply the Americans with gas and oil at standard prices, and the Americans will sell it to us with an American high-margin surcharge,” he said. “Are we such idiots already?”

The remarks come as the EU continues to pursue its REPowerEU strategy, aimed at ending reliance on Russian fossil fuels following the escalation of the war in Ukraine in 2022.

Under the plan, Russian liquefied natural gas imports would be phased out by the end of 2026, while pipeline gas imports would end by September 30, 2027, with a possible short extension.

EU member states are also required to outline how they will replace Russian energy supplies.

Fico has repeatedly argued that a rapid break from Russian energy could increase costs for Central European countries that remain heavily dependent on imports.

Prosecutors had initially sought a life sentence, but the court granted extraordinary mitigation, reducing the punishment to 21 years. Cintula’s lawyer indicated plans to appeal, seeking to downgrade the conviction to a lesser offence involving an attack on a public official.

The trial, which began in July, featured eight hearings and drew national attention.

Fico was shot multiple times on May 15, 2024, after a government meeting in the town of Handlova. He was airlifted to a hospital in serious condition but survived after multiple surgeries.

Cintula, a former security guard and amateur poet, was arrested at the scene. Authorities described the attack as politically motivated, marking one of the most serious acts of violence against a European leader in recent years.

According to Britannica, one method of releasing nuclear energy is by controlled nuclear fission in devices called reactors, which now operate in many parts of the world for electricity.

As of May 2024, the  World Nuclear Association  reported that Nuclear power supplies roughly 10% of global electricity via approximately 440 operational power reactors. It also contributes to nearly a quarter of the world's electricity with low carbon emissions.

However, there are several countries where nuclear energy is not just a part of the energy mix but a dominant force. Here is a list of countries based on  data  provided by Ember and Energy Institute:

France

France has the highest dependence on nuclear energy, with 65% of its electricity coming from nuclear power plants. It has a large nuclear power programme and is home to some of the oldest and most prominent nuclear power plants worldwide.

Slovakia

Slovakia relies heavily on nuclear energy, with 62% of its electricity generated from nuclear power plants. The country has four operational nuclear reactors, with two more under construction.

Ukraine

Ukraine relies heavily on nuclear energy, with 55% of its electricity generated from nuclear power plants. The country has 15 operational nuclear reactors, with more under construction.

Hungary

Hungary's dependence on nuclear energy stands at 44%. The Paks Nuclear Power Plant is the country's only nuclear power plant but is being expanded to increase its capacity.

Finland

Finland's dependence on nuclear energy stands at 42%. The country has four operational nuclear reactors, with a fifth under construction.

Belgium

Belgium's dependence on nuclear energy stands at 41%. The country has three operational nuclear power plants, which are scheduled to be shut down by 2025 to  diminish  dependency levels.

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic's dependence on nuclear energy stands at 40%. The country has six operational nuclear reactors, with two more under construction.