Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that some European Union and NATO member states are considering the deployment of their military personnel to Ukraine under bilateral agreements with Kyiv. This announcement was made during a press briefing following an emergency government meeting in Slovakia, ahead of Fico's departure for a meeting on Ukraine in Paris.
According to TASS, Fico mentioned,
"A group of EU and NATO member states are contemplating sending their military personnel to Ukraine based on bilateral agreements."
He emphasized that Slovakia, under no circumstances, would send its soldiers to Ukraine. The Prime Minister had previously stated that he would not agree to such a deployment, even at the risk of losing his position.
"We cannot prevent other countries from entering into bilateral agreements with Ukraine [that might include the deployment of military personnel], but we clearly state that the expected outcome of such actions will not be achieved. We believe that the decision [to send soldiers to Ukraine] will lead to a significant escalation of tensions," said the Slovak government head.
Fico reiterated his view that the Western strategy in Ukraine is not working and expressed his apprehension about the discussions to be held in Paris, stating they gave him a "chill."
