Latest news with #Ukraine-skeptic
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Slovakia will veto Russian sanctions if they harm national interests, Fico says
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said on June 8 that Slovakia will block EU sanctions against Russia if they are deemed to harm the country's national interests. "If there is a sanction that would harm us, I will never vote for it," Fico told reporters. Fico's comments come as Slovakia's parliament passed a resolution on June 5 urging the government to oppose any new international sanctions or trade restrictions against Russia, citing alleged negative economic impacts. The non-binding resolution argues that the sanctions imposed in response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine have driven up energy prices, disrupted supply chains, and harmed Slovak industry. The resolution calls on government ministers to 'defend national economic interests' in international forums and resist further punitive measures targeting Moscow. Since taking office in 2023, Fico has reversed Slovakia's previous pro-Ukraine policy, ending military aid to Kyiv and questioning the value of EU sanctions on Russia. EU foreign policy decisions, including sanctions, require unanimous approval by all member states. A Slovak veto could force concessions or delay enforcement in future rounds. Unlike Ukraine-skeptic Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban who has repeatedly obstructed and delayed the bloc's sanctions against Russia and military aid for Ukraine, Slovakia has not previously attempted to block EU sanctions. "I am interested in being a constructive player in the European Union, but not at the expense of Slovakia," Fico said, without elaborating on how he will vote on any upcoming EU sanctions packages. Fico added that he would not support any measure that halts Russian fuel imports that are used to power Slovakia's nuclear power plants. Discussions are underway as the EU is preparing an 18th sanctions package against Russia. EU ambassadors on May 14 agreed on the bloc's 17th package of sanctions against Russia, primarily targeting its shadow fleet of oil tankers. Ukraine's European allies are tightening sanctions against Russia as Moscow refuses to cease fire. Despite Russia's refusal, no new U.S. sanctions have been imposed so far. Read also: After 3 years of full-scale war in Ukraine, Europe announces plan to ban all Russian gas imports We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Wrong approach, wrong time, wrong president' — Waltz reacts to Trump-Zelensky standoff
National Security Advisor Mike Waltz criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, suggesting he is not genuinely seeking an end to the war with Russia. "It's not clear that Zelensky truly wants to stop the fighting," Waltz said following a tense meeting between the Ukrainian leader and U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Feb. 28. "He came in, even though he was warned not to, determined to litigate all of that … This was the wrong approach, wrong time in history, and definitely the wrong president to try to do this." Their 45-minute Oval Office press briefing escalated into a heated exchange over U.S. aid to Ukraine, ultimately leading to the cancellation of a planned U.S.-Ukraine mineral agreement. Read also: Zelensky, Trump get into heated argument while speaking with journalists in Oval Office Trump later took to Truth Social, accusing Zelensky of disrespecting the U.S. and declaring, "He can come back when he is ready for peace." Zelensky has taken a firm stance on peace and refused to accept a deal that could give Russia an advantage. The Ukrainian president asserted during his interview with Fox News that Ukraine is "ready for peace but we need to be in a good position." "We want peace... that's why I visited President Trump," Zelensky said, adding that he hopes that Trump would show stronger support for Ukraine rather than positioning himself as a mediator in the war. He emphasized that Russia was the aggressor, having launched the invasion. "I want really him to be more at our side," Zelensky said. The meeting, initially intended to formalize a deal on Ukraine's natural resources, instead highlighted deep divisions over Ukraine policy within Trump's administration. Ukraine-skeptic Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard echoed Trump's stance, with Gabbard claiming that Zelensky has been pushing the U.S. toward "a nuclear war with Russia/WW3 for years now." Gabbard has previously blamed NATO for Russia's war against Ukraine, and faced scrutiny for her controversial foreign policy views. Ukrainian-born Representative Victoria Spartz also condemned Zelensky's approach, accusing him of prioritizing political theatrics over Ukraine's real needs. "It's such a disservice to the Ukrainian people to play hero and politics… after how much was done by us for Ukraine and for Europe," she said. Read also: 'I'll need more ammo' — Ukraine's soldiers react to Trump-Zelensky Oval Office showdown We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
