FICO: UKRAINE IS NOT READY FOR THE EU, BALKAN STATES ARE MORE READY

BRATISLAVA, MAY 24 /SRNA/ - Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico called for a dialogue between the European Union and Russia with the aim of resolving the conflict in Ukraine and preserving peace in Europe.

"We must engage in dialogue with Russia, because without it, a single stray drone—and there have been many of them lately, mostly Ukrainian—could spark a third world war," Fico said.

He added that he sometimes feels as if there is someone waiting for a random provocative act to happen, or someone directly planning such an act.

He believes that the initiative of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to grant Ukraine "associate member" status could be an attempt to make the EU a party at the negotiating table regarding Ukraine.

He pointed out that it is clear to everyone that Ukraine is not ready for EU membership, and that other candidates, including the countries of the southern Balkans, are more ready.

He hopes that the bloc's leaders will be more open to discussion during the EU - Western Balkans summit in Montenegro on June 5.

"Let us do everything we can to initiate a dialogue on resolving the Ukrainian conflict. The EU is struck by unimaginable hypocrisy. In fact, I am the only one in the EU at this moment who is in contact with both sides in the conflict in Ukraine," Fico said in a video address published on Facebook.