Robert Fico's statements in response to the words of Ukrainian diplomacy, as well as his original statements from Saturday, to which Ukrainian diplomacy responds, are located below in the article.

We are bringing you the full text of the comment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on the statements of the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic, Robert Fico. The Ministry of Diplomacy published it in Ukrainian on its own website on Sunday afternoon.

Regrettable, Kiev comments on Fico's statements

"After more than three years of full-scale armed aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine, the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic, Robert Fico, still does not realize the true reasons for this criminal invasion and the danger that cooperation with the aggressor state entails."

It is regrettable that the head of government of an EU Member State allows himself to resort to openly offensive rhetoric against Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, who continue to heroically resist Russian aggression and defend their country in the interests of the security of the entire European continent.

We strongly warn against the use of hostile folklore analogies and attempts to boost domestic political ratings at the expense of Ukraine. Such frivolous statements insult the memory of the fallen, the suffering of millions of Ukrainian families, and the sacrifice of those fighting for freedom.

Ukraine greatly appreciates the all-round support of our international partners, who consistently defend the principles of territorial integrity of sovereign states, the rule of international law, and the preservation of a rules-based global order.

In this context, Robert Fico's statements are in sharp contrast to the spirit of good neighborliness, solidarity and mutual respect that the Slovak people have consistently shown towards Ukraine. Mr. Fico is thus disparaging even his own nation."

Prime Minister Fico's Sunday reaction to criticism of his words from Ukraine

"No one will take away my right to freedom of expression and an opinion other than the mandatory one. Even if an opposition activist wanted to shoot me because of my opinion on the war in Ukraine," Fico said in response to the words of the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He assured that as the Prime Minister of the sovereign Slovak Republic, he understands the tension and nervousness that must prevail in the political leadership of Ukraine these days."However, I cannot accept the claim of the Ukrainian Ministry of Diplomacy that I am resorting to 'openly offensive rhetoric towards Ukraine and the Ukrainian people'. Also in my post on social networks yesterday, which is the reason for the Ukrainian reaction, I consistently repeated my positions on the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. I wish for an immediate just peace for Ukraine and an end to the senseless killing of Slavs," said the Chairman of Smer.

"If we use the indicator of the strength of the Slovak economy, the Slovak Republic is among the countries with the most intensive assistance to Ukraine. However, neighborly relations cannot be just a one-way ticket. Ukraine expects that everyone must always accommodate it. The Slovak Republic provides Ukraine with critical electricity supplies, and Ukraine uses European legislation that obliges us to provide Slovak infrastructure for gas supplies to the territory of Ukraine. On the other hand, the Ukrainian president stopped gas supplies to Slovakia via Ukrainian territory, thereby significantly damaging Slovakia," the Prime Minister complained.

According to Fico, the war in Ukraine has distorted freedom of expression in the EU."Any opinion other than the obligatory one is sharply criticized and condemned, even if it is based on objective information. I reject such deliberate distortions of fundamental rights. With all due respect to Ukrainian diplomacy, I must emphasize that the right to a different opinion expressed in a normal manner is the foundation of democracy and that restricting this right is the beginning of the end of democracy. As the prime minister of a sovereign country, I will maintain the right to freedom of expression and a different opinion, even if it causes nervousness among my colleagues in the EU and in neighboring Ukraine. Even if my sovereign opinion on the military conflict in Ukraine almost cost me my life," Fico said in Sunday's reaction to the claims of Ukrainian diplomacy.

Robert Fico: Ukraine was used by the West to try to weaken Russia

"Dear friends, of course, we are all following the fuss about the meeting between the American and Russian presidents scheduled for August 15 next week. I do not want to go back to everything about which SMER – SSD was right in its assessment of the Ukrainian-Russian conflict. Practically in everything," declared Prime Minister Fico in a video from his vacation in Croatia. Over the week he was caught swimming in the sea there, Aktuality.sk.

"Everyone already knows that the conflict has serious roots in recent history, that it has no military solution, everyone already knows that Ukraine's membership in NATO is impossible, everyone already knows that Ukraine was used by the West to try to weaken Russia, which failed and for which Ukraine will apparently have to pay dearly. Do you remember the old African truth that I like to repeat so much? It doesn't matter whether elephants fight or have sex, the grass always suffers. No matter how the elephants' negotiations turn out on August 15, the grass will suffer - in this case, Ukraine," the Slovak Prime Minister also said.

He accused Ukrainian political leaders of being partly responsible for this situation, because they allowed themselves to be lured by the West and fully supported the failed Western strategy of harming Russia through all kinds of support for Ukraine in the military conflict."It is generally known that the war could have ended in April 2022, two months after it began, but several Western politicians prevented it with their own bodies," Fico said.

"What will happen in the coming weeks will not be pretty. However, two things are most important: first, that an immediate halt to military operations be agreed upon and the senseless killing of Slavs end, and second, that other Western players do not throw pitchforks into a possible ceasefire agreement. The war will end at some point in any case. And then you will see how all those who shouted the ugliest words at the Russian Federation will flee to this huge country and outdo each other in search of business opportunities," said Prime Minister Fico, which did not go unnoticed in Kiev.

"However, I would most look forward to the long noses of those who have been inventing all sorts of nonsense in the EU, starting with sanctions and ending with the halting of Russian energy imports. I believe that this day will come very quickly. And I am especially pleased that we in SMERE - SSD will be able to look everyone straight in the eye regarding the war in Ukraine, because from the very beginning of this conflict we have rejected propaganda, lies and have focused on objective information and, above all, peace. Let's keep our fingers crossed for the Russian and American presidents that they find a meaningful solution," the Slovak Prime Minister also said.