Zelenskyy Announces Slovak Support for Ukraine’s EU Membership After Call with Prime Minister Robert Fico

On 2 May 2026, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he spoke by phone with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. Zelenskyy reported that Fico affirmed Slovakia’s support for Ukraine’s EU accession and offered to share Slovakia’s own experience. Both leaders indicated plans for reciprocal state visits, with a possible meeting on the sidelines of European Political Community summit in Yerevan next day.

Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy says Slovak Prime Minister Fico changed his view on Ukraine’s EU accessionReutersFico Says Slovakia Supports Ukraine’s Accession to EU

Robert Fico has previously opposed Ukraine’s EU trajectory and cooperated with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on issues such as the Druzhba oil-pipeline dispute and halts to electricity and fuel exports to Ukraine. His domestic base includes a pro-Russian electorate, prompting a cautious stance that balances Western alliance commitments. The May 2 endorsement therefore marks a notable shift from earlier opposition.

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, heads the EU integration drive. Robert Fico, Prime Minister of Slovakia, is in his third term and has been skeptical of Ukraine’s EU bid. Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister of Hungary, is noted as Fico’s ally on several Ukraine-related issues.

EuronewsUkraine’s President Zelenskyy says Slovak Prime Minister Fico changed his view on Ukraine’s EU accessionZelenskyy spoke with Fico - Slovakia expressed its position on Ukraine's accession to the EU

Zelenskyy’s X post stressed ties and noted Slovakia’s willingness to help Ukraine’s accession. He mentioned inviting Fico to Kyiv and thanked him for an invitation to Bratislava. Fico’s Facebook message confirmed support for Ukraine’s EU aspiration, emphasized a stable democratic neighbor, and said a peace deal with Russia must have Ukraine’s consent.

Fico Says Slovakia Supports Ukraine’s Accession to EUUkraine’s President Zelenskyy says Slovak Prime Minister Fico changed his view on Ukraine’s EU accessionEuronews

Analysts note that Fico’s reversal follows his earlier alignment with Orbán’s skeptical stance on EU enlargement for Ukraine. Some commentators argue the shift may stem from diplomatic pressure before the Yerevan summit rather than policy change. Domestic observers in Slovakia have voiced concern that supporting Ukraine’s EU bid could conflict with preferences of the country’s pro-Russian electorate.

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• “We want strong relations between our countries, and we are both committed to that.” — Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine

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• “It was important to hear that Slovakia supports Ukraine’s EU membership and is ready to share its own experience of the accession process," the Ukrainian president wrote in a statement.” — Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine

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• “I confirmed that Slovakia supports Ukraine’s aspiration to join the EU, as Slovakia wants Ukraine, as our neighbor, to be a stable and democratic country”, he wrote on Facebook.” — Robert Fico, Prime Minister of Slovakia

Fico Says Slovakia Supports Ukraine’s Accession to EU

• “I also emphasized that no peace agreement in the military conflict with the Russian Federation is possible without the consent of the Ukrainian side” — Robert Fico, Prime Minister of Slovakia

Fico Says Slovakia Supports Ukraine’s Accession to EU

The leaders will meet on the sidelines of the European Political Community summit in Yerevan on 3 May 2026. Their teams will arrange reciprocal visits and coordinate diplomatic engagement. Observers will watch whether Slovakia’s support leads to concrete actions in EU decision-making, potentially influencing Ukraine’s accession timeline.

Zelenskyy spoke with Fico - Slovakia expressed its position on Ukraine's accession to the EU