Fico Expresses Solidarity with Orban Following Ukrainian President's Statements

Bratislava, 6 March (TASR) - Slovak Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) has expressed his full solidarity with Hungarian Premier Viktor Orban regarding statements made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy on Thursday (5 March) expressed his hope that Orban will stop blocking financial support intended for Ukraine, otherwise he will "provide the Ukrainian army with the address of the [Hungarian) premier so that they can have a word with him". "It's unacceptable for Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to think that we are his servants and must do anything he expects. We're helping him in every way. Conversely, he's harming us. He's caused us damage amounting to €500 million as far as gas transit fees are concerned. Now he's stopped the oil. He claims that the pipeline has been damaged, even though satellite images clearly confirm that this isn't the case," said Fico in a video posted on a social network. At the same time, Fico described Zelenskyy's message to Orban as "blatant blackmail" and something that everyone must reject, regardless of the fact that a war is taking place in Ukraine. The Slovak premier also officially called on the top representatives of the European Union, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, to distance themselves from the "outrageous blackmailing statements" by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who, in his view, "has crossed all red lines". "If the Ukrainian president continues in this manner, it could happen that some more EU-member states will block the €90-billion loan for Ukraine," stated the Slovak premier. Slovak Foreign Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) has also reacted to Zelenskyy's statements, posting on a social network that the Ukrainian president has gone too far with his threats against the Hungarian premier. "His threats of violence are absolutely unacceptable and should be condemned! Who will be next to face such threats from President Zelenskyy?" asked Blanar. ko/df