Enlarge image
Robert Fico
Photo: Szilard Koszticsak/dpa
The new Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico has claimed that the war in Ukraine is not felt in Kiev.
A day before his first meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Fico told a news conference in eastern Slovakia that the conflict was localized.
According to the Reuters news agency, he replied to a reporter's question: "Do you seriously believe that there is a war in Kiev?
You're joking, please, I hope you're not serious.
Go there and you will find that there is a normal life in the city, an absolutely normal life.”
Just a few hours earlier, rockets had hit the Ukrainian capital.
According to official information, 20 people, including a 13-year-old boy, were injured.
Since the beginning of the war, air alarms have been sounded in Kiev 967 times, lasting a total of 1,133 hours.
Fico wants to meet Shmyhal for the first time on Wednesday in the western Ukrainian city of Uzhhorod.
The Slovak Prime Minister said it would be more practical to meet in Uzhhorod.
The Ukrainian side suggested this after Fico initially requested a meeting on the common border of the two countries.
Fico, who has been in office since October, has changed course in foreign policy.
His stated goal is, among other things, to stop military aid to Ukraine.
In his opinion, this will only prolong the war.
svs/Reuters