Slovak PM Fico says some in West seek war between Russia and NATO

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico warned on Saturday that some Western politicians are attempting to instigate a conflict between NATO and Russia following the failure of their strategy to defeat Russia in Ukraine. Fico, a longtime supporter of Russia, has maintained warm relations with the nation and has refused to provide military aid to Ukraine.

He expressed concern that Europe is on the brink of a large-scale war, attributing the situation to Western support for Ukraine which he believes has been ineffective. The Slovak leader stated, "We face a mortal danger while watching the West pour fuel on the fire with its support for Ukraine, which had been to no avail." Fico alleged that some Western politicians are seeking conflict with Russia, stating, "Certain war hawks within NATO are trying, at any cost, to turn this war into a conflict between Russia and NATO."

Earlier in the week, Fico cautioned that a drone incursion could trigger the activation of NATO's collective defense clause. He expressed his desire to prevent Slovakia, a NATO member and Ukraine's neighbor, from becoming embroiled in an armed conflict. Fico reiterated that Slovakia and NATO are not at war with Russia, emphasizing that the conflict does not involve Slovakia.

French President Emmanuel Macron recently noted that Russia is ramping up its campaign of hybrid attacks against Europe, providing the Leipzig airport drone attack in August as proof of the evolving nature of Russian aggression. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also expressed concerns, citing unnamed intelligence sources to suggest that Russia plans to carry out hybrid drone and missile attacks against countries supporting Ukraine.