Germany's top diplomat calls questioning Russian threat to Europe 'irresponsible'

Slovakia, under Prime Minister Robert Fico, has adopted a stance that questions the European Union and NATO's response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Fico has maintained friendly relations with Moscow, including meetings with President Vladimir Putin, and has opposed EU measures concerning Russian oil and gas supplies, which Slovakia still relies on. This month, Fico criticized Western politicians for allegedly seeking to escalate conflict with Russia, warning that Europe is closer to war than ever and expressing a desire for Slovakia to remain neutral, though bound by its NATO membership.

Wadephul also emphasized the importance of security guarantees and warned that questioning NATO's deterrence capability puts all member states at risk. He drew a parallel to "systemic obstructionism" previously seen in the EU by Hungary under former Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who frequently delayed EU measures against Russia. Slovakia, along with Hungary and the Czech Republic, opted out of an EU loan for Ukraine earlier this year and has previously delayed sanctions against Russia due to energy policies. Wadephul concluded that such "blockades" weaken the EU and ultimately harm the party imposing them.