Slovakia will not support funding for conflict in Ukraine at NATO summit — Fico

Slovakia Prime Minister Robert Fico has declared that his country will not support financial or military contributions for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine at the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, scheduled for July 7-8, 2026. This firm stance comes less than two weeks before the high-stakes meeting, where NATO members are expected to pledge billions in new aid packages for Ukraine, making Slovakia a notable outlier. Fico's decision reinforces Slovakia consistent refusal to provide direct military support to Kyiv since he returned to power in 2023, instead prioritizing diplomatic solutions and offering only humanitarian assistance. His position starkly contrasts with many other Central European neighbors and risks further straining relations within the NATO alliance, particularly as the summit's draft statement reportedly includes a pledge of 70 billion euros in military support for Ukraine. Fico has also voiced concerns about the potential for 'World War III' due to drone incursions on NATO territory, citing recent incidents in Romania. Ahead of the Ankara summit, Fico plans to meet with Slovak Defense Minister Robert Kalinak to ensure the Slovak delegation does not have a mandate for further military or financial involvement in Ukraine. This move suggests continued division within NATO regarding the scale and nature of support for Ukraine, especially with the United States reportedly scaling back its contributions. Observers will be watching closely to see if other nations follow Slovakia lead or if this position remains isolated, highlighting internal challenges to NATO unity in addressing the conflict.