【By Observer News, Zhang Jingjuan】This week, US President Trump will hold talks with Russian President Putin.
According to reports from Slovak media Dennik N and Dnes24, Slovak Prime Minister Fico stated on the 9th that regardless of the outcome of the planned meeting between the presidents of Russia and the US, Ukraine would be the one suffering.
Fico said that everyone is paying attention to this meeting, "Everyone understands that there is no military solution to the Ukraine-Russia conflict; everyone knows that Ukraine joining NATO is impossible; everyone is clear that the West uses Ukraine to weaken Russia, but this attempt has not succeeded, and Ukraine may pay a heavy price for it."
He used an African proverb to vividly describe the current situation: "Whether the elephants are in love or fighting, the grass is always the one to suffer." "No matter what the negotiations between the 'elephants' result in that day, the 'grass' is always the victim. In this case, Ukraine is the grass that suffers."
Fico believes that the Ukrainian leadership bears some responsibility for the current situation. They were misled by the West and fully supported the Western strategy of using aid to Ukraine to strike against Russia, a strategy that has already failed. He said that the conflict could have ended shortly after it began, but some Western politicians kept interfering.
In his view, two things are crucial for resolving the conflict: first, an agreement should be reached immediately to stop military operations and end this "meaningless killing among Slavs"; second, other Western participants should not interfere in any possible peace agreement. "Regardless of what happens, the conflict will eventually end."
Regarding the future actions of the Western bloc, Fico spoke frankly, saying he was eager to see those who once used vicious language to accuse Russia how they would rush into Russia to seek business opportunities later.
"However, I am most looking forward to seeing the embarrassed expressions of those people in the EU who come up with all sorts of absurd ideas - from sanctions to stopping the import of Russian energy, nothing is too strange. I believe this day will come soon," Fico said.
Fico IC photo
Fico's comments on the Ukraine-Russia conflict have caused dissatisfaction in Ukraine. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry stated that Fico ignores the suffering of millions of Ukrainian families and criticized him for not respecting Ukrainians. However, Fico responded firmly, stating that the war in Ukraine has distorted the freedom of speech in the EU and emphasized that he has the right to express different opinions.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry accused Fico, as the head of government of an EU member state, of openly using derogatory language against Ukraine and Ukrainians. The department claimed that Fico's use of "hostile analogies" comparing Ukraine to "the grass suffering in the elephant fight" was actually "using the damage to Ukraine to boost his own domestic political support," which was reckless and irresponsible.
In response to the accusations from Ukraine, Fico strongly responded on social media and reiterated his stance on the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
He said that he understood the recent tension and anxiety in Ukraine, but he could not accept the accusations from the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry. "I desire a just peace in Ukraine immediately, and I hope this meaningless slaughter among Slavic nations can stop."
Fico said that if measured by Slovakia's economic strength, the country's assistance level is very high, but Ukraine sees the neighbor relationship as a one-way demand, "Ukraine always expects everyone to accommodate it."
He pointed out that Slovakia provided critical power supply to Ukraine, while Ukraine unilaterally cut off the gas supply through its territory to Slovakia, causing losses to Slovakia.
This Slovak prime minister frankly said that the Ukraine-Russia conflict has distorted the freedom of speech in the EU. "Any opinion that deviates from the 'standard answer,' even if based on objective facts, will face fierce criticism and condemnation. I oppose this deliberate distortion of basic rights. Although I respect the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, I must emphasize that the right to express different views in a normal way is the cornerstone of democracy, and limiting this right is the beginning of the end of democracy."
On August 15, Trump and Putin will meet in Alaska.
AP reported that the last time Putin visited the United States was in 2015, when he attended the UN General Assembly in New York. If the Alaska meeting takes place, it will be the first meeting between US and Russian leaders since President Biden met with Putin in Geneva in 2021.
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