Fico: Slovakia Won’t Go to War Over NATO Article 5

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said on September 17 that he does not want Slovakia to become involved in a war because of NATO's Article 5, warning that the Russia-Ukraine war is increasingly difficult to control and that the risk of a wider conflict in Europe is now more serious than ever.

Speaking in the Slovak city of Presov ahead of a visit to Ukraine, Fico referred to Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which establishes the principle of collective defense and states that an attack on one NATO member is considered an attack on the entire alliance.

"I don't want Slovakia to be part of an armed conflict because of some Article 5," Fico said.

He added that Slovakia remains committed to NATO but said his government would work to prevent the country from being pulled into an armed conflict.

"Yes, we are in NATO; we value that, and cooperation and commitments matter to us, but as the head of government, I will do everything I can to prevent Slovakia from being dragged into an armed conflict," he said.

Under Article 5, NATO members are required to assist an ally that comes under attack, with each country determining the form of assistance it considers necessary. This can include the use of armed force.

Fico also accused European capitals of encouraging confrontation and claimed that some were looking for what he described as an excuse for a major conflict between NATO and Russia.

His comments come as European countries report a series of suspected Russian hybrid attacks and as Russian strikes have increasingly taken place near Ukraine's borders with NATO member states.

Fico has been one of Europe's most vocal critics of military assistance to Ukraine. He is also among the few NATO heads of government to have met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Fico said the Russia-Ukraine war was "out of control" and warned that the possibility of a Europe-wide conflict had reached an unprecedented level.

The Slovak prime minister is due to travel to Ukraine on September 18 along with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and other European leaders. They will attend the inaugural Carpathian 8 Summit, a regional cooperation forum hosted by Ukraine.

The summit will bring together Ukraine, Poland, Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary, Romania, Austria and Serbia. It is scheduled to take place in Ukraine's western Ivano-Frankivsk region from September 18 to 20.