Slovak PM tells Ukrainian counterpart of “cold stance” on Ukraine joining NATO, but not the EU

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico reiterated his negative stance on Ukraine's NATO membership but promised not to block its path to the EU. Source: European Pravda; Suspilne, Ukraine's public broadcaster, citing Fico's remarks at the intergovernmental meeting with Ukrainian PM Denys Shmyhal. Details: Fico said that Slovakia fully supports Ukraine's EU membership but takes a "cold" stance on NATO membership.

Quotes: "I'll be clear, we have a cold attitude towards Ukraine's NATO membership, but we fully support your path to the EU.

Your membership will be important and valuable for us," the Slovak PM stated. He added that Slovakia actively supports granting Ukraine EU membership status. "There will be countries in the EU that will want the process of Ukraine's accession to the EU to be slower.

We won't be among them...

A lot depends on you and your reforms.

But we won't place any obstacles in your way," Fico added.

Background:

• Denys Shmyhal and Robert Fico are holding their second intergovernmental consultations near Uzhhorod (Ukraine's west) on Monday. 
• Before his visit to Ukraine, Fico stated that, as the head of the Slovak government, he would never agree to Ukraine joining NATO.

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