Robert Fico: Slovakia will not send troops if a war breaks out between NATO and Russia

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico sparked controversy after declaring that Slovakia would not send troops in the event of a direct conflict between NATO and Russia, not even in the event of an attack on an allied state and the invocation of Article 5. The statements were made on Thursday, in a speech delivered before students at the beginning of the academic year.

Fico said that the security situation in Europe is more serious and tense than ever and that his government will do everything possible to prevent Slovakia from being drawn into a war. The Slovak prime minister also accused Europe of an intensification of “war rhetoric” and claimed that some Western politicians may be trying to provoke a conflict between NATO and Russia.

Later, in a message posted on Facebook, Fico stated that no one would send Slovak soldiers to fight against Russia “under a false pretext.” He criticized the Western strategy regarding the war in Ukraine and accused European governments of neglecting issues such as energy prices and migration.

The statements were criticized by Czech President Petr Pavel, a former chairman of NATO’s Military Committee, who described them as “extremely serious.” Pavel stressed that Article 5 expresses the solidarity and mutual responsibility of member states.

In response, Fico said that Slovakia values its membership in NATO, but that as long as he is prime minister, the country will not participate in any “military adventure.” Article 5, however, provides several forms of support for an attacked ally and does not automatically oblige all states to send troops.