2026-09-29 19:45:32Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

Russian imperialism is the biggest threat to Europe and questioning this is irresponsible, the German Foreign Minister said on Tuesday in Slovakia, where the prime minister has criticized the West's approach to Ukraine.

"The biggest threat to the freedom of our continent comes from Moscow. The biggest danger to Europe is the aggressive imperialism of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin," German Minister Johann Wadephul said during a meeting with his Slovak counterpart, Juraj Blanar.

"Questioning these facts not only shows a lack of solidarity, but would be simply irresponsible."

Slovakia, led by the left-wing nationalist government of Prime Minister Robert Fico, has questioned the European Union and NATO's response to the war that followed Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Fico has maintained warm relations with Moscow, including meetings with Putin, and has clashed with the EU over measures to cut off Russian oil and gas supplies, which Bratislava still needs.

This month, Fico criticized unnamed Western politicians for wanting to incite conflict between NATO and Russia after a "failed" strategy to defeat Moscow.

He also said that Europe was closer than ever to war and that he wanted to keep Slovakia out of the conflict.

In a television interview over the weekend, he stated that he did not believe that the partners would send troops to help Slovakia in the event of war.

Fico has said that he would prefer neutrality, but was bound by NATO membership.


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