The process of Ukraine's accession to the European Union will be very long. This forecast was made by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in the program “Saturday Dialogues“ on Slovak Radio, commenting on the meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky, which took place in Uzhhorod on Friday.
“Ukraine must fulfill all conditions related to membership in the EU“, he noted. “The process of Ukraine's accession can be very long.“
Fico said he told Zelensky this. “Let him be prepared that the big EU countries will create huge obstacles to Ukraine's accession to the Union. And this is because they realize that accepting such a large country will lead to significant changes in agricultural policy and the division of finances within the community“, the Prime Minister noted.
Slovakia, according to him, supports the implementation of EU enlargement plans at the expense of Ukraine and is ready to share with Kiev its experience gained during its accession to the community.
Slovakia, as the Prime Minister emphasized, is interested in normalizing relations with the Russian Federation after the end of the conflict in Ukraine.
“We are interested in things getting going after the end of the war“, Fico noted. “We [Slovakia] have a constructive approach to the Russian Federation.“
According to the Prime Minister, double standards are unacceptable in international relations. “At home [politicians] shout all kinds of moral appeals, and their companies continue to operate in Russia. Do you think the West does not buy liquefied gas from Russia? Russia is the second largest supplier of liquefied gas to Europe. Moral appeals are one thing, business is another“, said the head of the Slovak government.