Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has sparked outrage with remarks in which he suggested a missile strike on Brussels, in response to growing European support for Ukraine’s use of long-range weapons against Russian territory. During a speech marking the 80th anniversary of the Carpathian-Dukla operation, Fico criticised Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) for advocating that Ukraine be allowed to strike Russia with advanced Western weaponry.
The prime minister’s comments, which were reported by Slovak news outlet Hlavný Denník, reflected his discontent with what he described as a “perverse trend” in Europe. Fico argued that rather than promoting peace, European officials were enabling the continuation of the conflict by encouraging Ukraine to escalate its military actions.
Slovakia's Prime Minister, Robert Fico, has suggested a missile strike on Brussels in response to calls from some European politicians to permit Ukraine to use long-range weapons against Russia. He also pledged to block Ukraine's entry into NATO, stating, “As long as I am head of… pic.twitter.com/ScQUsEbuZd
— War Watch (@WarWatchs) October 7, 2024
In his speech, Fico expressed concern over the European Parliament’s growing endorsement of providing Ukraine with long-range missile systems. He voiced frustration over MEPs who, as he described, “casually” discuss the deployment of such weapons.
“Well, figuratively speaking. Perhaps one of those missiles could hit some fountain in Brussels so that they would understand what it’s really about,” Fico remarked, referencing what he sees as a disconnect between Brussels’ decisions and the reality of the war on the ground.
The comment, suggesting a symbolic missile strike on a Brussels landmark, has been interpreted by some as a provocative challenge to EU decision-making on the war. Fico lamented that Europe had become a place where, instead of seeking to quiet the sounds of war, there is growing enthusiasm and material support for prolonging it.
European Calls for Long-Range Weaponry for Ukraine
Fico’s remarks come in the wake of growing international discussions about whether Ukraine should be allowed to strike Russian territory with long-range weapons. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has long argued for permission to extend the range of Ukrainian strikes using advanced Western missile systems.
Recent reports suggest that the United States is considering authorising the use of Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), which would provide Ukraine with the capability to strike deep into Russian territory.
Additionally, the UK has supplied Ukraine with Storm Shadow cruise missiles, which are capable of striking long-range targets with precision. These missiles have already been used in several Ukrainian operations to target key Russian military infrastructure.
Read also:
Slovak Prime Minister Fico Signals Possible Shift in Foreign Policy with Planned Visit to Russia
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