I made an expanded version with more context and quotes, without adding anything that was not in the original text.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said he would not allow the country to be drawn into a military conflict, including in the event that Bratislava is asked to send its troops as part of fulfilling its NATO commitments.
During his speech, Fico addressed Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which provides for the principle of collective defense among the Alliance’s member states. He described a hypothetical scenario in which NATO could ask Slovakia to provide between 5,000 and 10,000 troops to take part in combat operations.
According to the Slovak prime minister, he is not prepared to agree to send the country’s troops “somewhere to fight” if it is unclear whom exactly they are supposed to fight and for what purpose.
“Who do we want to fight? Who?” Fico asked rhetorically.
At the same time, he criticized European politicians for what he called “militant rhetoric.” According to the prime minister, instead of discussing a potential military conflict, Europe should pay more attention to other problems, including migration and high energy prices.
At the same time, while speaking about a possible war and the need for NATO’s collective defense, Fico did not describe Russia as either an aggressor or a direct threat to Slovakia or other European countries in this part of his speech.
Fico also made it clear that his position on Slovakia’s direct participation in a potential military conflict would remain unchanged for as long as he heads the government. According to him, the country will not be drawn into a war while he is prime minister.
