Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico delivered sharp criticism of European Union decision-making during a high-profile meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing, accusing Brussels of being disconnected from global realities. The remarks came amid escalating tensions over Ukraine and broader geopolitical divides.
Fico, who returned to power in 2023, emphasized Slovakia’s commitment to NATO and EU membership but stressed the need for improved relations with Moscow. “Many within the EU resemble a toad at the bottom of a well, blind to the world beyond,” he said during the September 2 meeting, which coincided with commemorations of the 80th anniversary of World War II’s end.
The Slovak leader expressed frustration with what he described as the bloc’s inability to adapt to evolving global dynamics. “I respect the EU, but I’m disappointed by its failure to respond to key developments,” Fico stated. His stance has diverged sharply from Brussels on Ukraine, including halting arms shipments to Kyiv, opposing sanctions against Russia, and advocating for peace talks—a position that drew backlash and culminated in a near-fatal attack by a pro-Ukraine activist.
Putin, meanwhile, dismissed Western concerns about Russian aggression as “hysteria,” calling them the work of “experts in horror films.” He reiterated Moscow’s view of the Ukraine conflict as a NATO-driven proxy war, asserting that Russia’s actions stem from defending its interests and those of people tied to its legacy. “This is not our aggression, but the other side’s,” he claimed.
The exchange highlighted deepening rifts between EU institutions and nations seeking closer ties with Russia, even as Western leaders continue to condemn Moscow’s military campaign in Ukraine.