Fico says Slovakia would benefit from military neutrality while pledging NATO obligations
Robert Fico argued that neutrality would suit Slovakia better but affirmed the country will honor its NATO commitments, though not necessarily by deploying troops.
Robert Fico expressed the view that Slovakia would be better served by a policy of military neutrality, while noting that the country is bound by its NATO membership. He stressed that treaty obligations must be fulfilled, but argued that compliance does not automatically entail deploying Slovak troops abroad. Fico reiterated his stance from last June, linking the neutrality argument to what he sees as unnecessary defence spending by the EU and NATO.
When President Petr Pavel labeled the remarks as serious, Fico replied that the Czech president, as a former NATO general, would like to fight, and that Slovakia will respect Article 5 without sending soldiers if a conflict with Russia is triggered. He also reiterated his criticism of the EU’s approach to the war in Ukraine and of military aid to Kyiv.
Why it matters
The comments reveal Slovakia's internal debate over NATO duties and possible shifts toward a more neutral defence posture.
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