Tianjin- Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico told Russian President Vladimir Putin in China on Tuesday that while Ukraine is free to pursue membership in the European Union, joining NATO is unacceptable.

Fico said every nation has the right to decide its future, but stressed Ukraine must meet all conditions before entering the EU. He added he would raise the issue with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in an upcoming meeting.

“On one hand, we support Ukraine’s EU path. But on NATO, I’ve been clear from the start, Ukraine cannot join. This is final,” Fico stated.

Putin replied that Russia does not oppose Ukraine’s EU membership but described NATO accession as a direct threat to Russian security. He argued that Moscow was forced to defend its interests after the 2014 Western-backed coup , insisting the conflict is about protection, not aggression.

Rejecting Western claims of Russian plans to invade Europe, Putin called such warnings “complete nonsense” and mocked Western leaders as “experts in horror films.”

Fico, who survived an assassination attempt last year by a pro-Ukraine activist, also criticized EU and NATO policies toward Russia. He expressed hope for normalized relations between Bratislava and Moscow.