Slovakia/Ukraine

Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico said Saturday that neighboring Ukraine is not a sovereign state but is under U.S. control. The populist politician, who opposes military aid to war-torn Ukraine and sanctions against Russia, also reiterates his opposition to Ukraine joining NATO. “Ukraine is under the total influence and control of the United States,” Fico said on RTVS television. Slovakia is both a member of NATO and the European Union. 
     Fico is due to meet its Ukrainian counterpart, Denys Shmyhal, on Wednesday in the city of Uzhhorod, located in western Ukraine near the border with Slovakia. “I’m going to tell him that I’m against Ukraine’s membership of NATO and that I’m going to veto it. It will only be fertile ground for a third world war, nothing else,” says Fico. /ritzau/AFP