Summary:
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico criticizes António Costa and Kaja Kallas for supporting Ukraine on behalf of the EU.
Fico claims EU leaders cannot make statements without consensus from the EU and Council.
Costa emphasizes unwavering EU support for Ukraine since the war began.
Fico had previously accused Kallas of having a pro-American stance and disdain for Russia.
Fico's party voted against the new EU Commission, opposing their own chosen commissioner.
Slovak Prime Minister's Criticism of EU Leaders
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has publicly criticized António Costa, the new President of the European Council, and Kaja Kallas, the recently appointed EU foreign policy chief, for expressing support for Ukraine on behalf of the EU. During a phone call with Ursula Von der Leyen, Fico conveyed his displeasure regarding the statements made by Costa and Kallas during their visit to Ukraine, a country under Russian invasion since February 2022.
Fico stated that "neither members of the Commission nor the President of the European Council can make statements on behalf of the European Union that have not been agreed upon by the EU and the European Council." He emphasized that the positions announced do not reflect the conclusions of the European Union.
The controversial statements were made during a visit to Kyiv, where Costa proclaimed on social media, "From the first day of the war, the EU has stood by the side of Ukraine. From day one of our mandate, we reaffirm our unwavering support to the Ukrainian people."
Previously, Fico had criticized Kallas on social media, accusing her of not hiding her pro-American stance and her "declared hatred for the Russian Federation."
Last week, Fico's party members voted against the formation of the new European Commission, opposing the appointment of a commissioner they had initially chosen, as reported by the Slovak Spectator.
The SMER party, which leads the governing coalition in Slovakia, identifies itself as a nationalist leftist party. However, since the last elections, it has formed an agreement with a far-right party to ensure governance in the country, resulting in SMER's suspension from the Socialist and Democrats group in the European Parliament.
Following his election in October last year, Fico fulfilled a campaign promise by announcing the cessation of military support to Ukraine, limiting Slovak assistance to "humanitarian and civil aid."
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