Many of its member countries NATO and her The European Union are considering sending troops to Ukraineon a bilateral basis, Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico claimed today.
Ficho, who has long voiced his opposition to the delivery of weapons systems to Ukraine and takes a stance that some describe as pro-Russian, did not elaborate on the claim. Other European leaders have not yet commented.
The statements of the Slovak prime minister were made before the meeting of European leaders in Paris where European leaders will discuss the Ukrainian issue today and in which Fico himself will attend.
Slovakia will not send troops
“I will limit myself to stating that these (preparatory) positions (ahead of today’s session) suggest that some NATO and EU countries are considering sending troops to Ukraine, on a bilateral basis,” Fitzo told reporters after the council meeting. security of Slovakia. “I can’t say for what purpose and what they will do there,” he added, clarifying that his country, which is a member of the EU and NATO, is not going to send troops to Ukraine.
NATO members have given billions of dollars worth of weapons and ammunition to Kiev and are training Ukrainian soldiers. But the leaders of the countries, including US President Joe Biden, emphasize that NATO wants to avoid a direct conflict with Russia, which could lead to a world war. “Neither NATO nor NATO allies are part of the conflict,” the alliance’s secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, reiterated on February 14.
There was no comment on Fitso’s statements on behalf of NATO.
When asked about the matter, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala replied: “The Czech Republic is certainly not preparing to send troops to Ukraine, let no one worry about that.”
Risk of escalation
Ficho said he saw a risk of a major escalation in the war in Ukraine and could not divulge more information.
About 20 European leaders are expected in Paris today to send a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin that Europe stands firmly behind Ukraine and to refute the Kremlin’s narrative that Russia will surely win the war, now in its third year.
Ficho said the convening of this emergency session by French President Emmanuel Macron shows that the West’s strategy in Ukraine has failed. He added that he would take part in a constructive spirit, although the topics under discussion “give him chills”.
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