Slovak PM warns Ukraine NATO membership could lead to World War III

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico voiced strong concerns about Ukraine potentially joining NATO, warning that it could precipitate a catastrophic global conflict.

In a video posted on Facebook, Fico acknowledged Ukraine's sovereignty but argued that NATO membership for Ukraine would effectively guarantee World War III, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

These remarks from Fico came shortly after Slovakia's delegation to the NATO summit in Washington affirmed Ukraine's irreversible path towards NATO membership.

Fico instructed his country's representatives at the summit to reiterate Slovakia's position that Ukraine must fully meet all NATO membership criteria and gain unanimous approval from existing member states.

Since Slovakia became a NATO member in 2004, Fico, serving in his fourth term as Prime Minister, has maintained a stance against providing military aid to Ukraine. He controversially claimed "there is no war in Kyiv", despite the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Fico also expressed regret for not accompanying Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on his recent trip to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, indicating a complex stance on regional geopolitics amidst tensions over Ukraine's NATO aspirations.