Slovak premier says Ukraine’s decision not to sign peace deal in 2022 was a mistake

Ukraine crisisSlovak premier says Ukraine’s decision not to sign peace deal in 2022 was a mistake Robert Fico added that the West has been "pouring oil on the flames of the conflict in Ukraine," describing the possibility of a larger conflict between Russia and NATO as a "mortal danger"Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico© Gavriil Grigorov/Russian Presidential Press and Information Office/TASSPRAGUE, September 20. /TASS/. Ukraine made a mistake when it walked out of peace treaty talks and refused to sign a peace agreement in 2022, Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico said. "The Russian armed forces are advancing deeper into the territory of Ukraine, and there is no international force that could make Russia leave the areas controlled by the military," the premier said in a video address posted on Facebook (a social media site banned in Russia since it is owned by the Meta corporation designated as extremist by the Russian authorities). "A few months since the start of the conflict, in April 2022, Ukraine made a huge mistake when it listened to the Russophobic West and refused to sign the prepared peace treaty." In his words, "it is absolutely evident" that the West’s strategy of "conquering Russia" through the conflict in Ukraine has failed. "I’m proud that my government openly rejects this strategy and refuses to participate in any military donations or military loans to Ukraine. We say a clear ‘No to war’ and urge to start peace negotiations as soon as possible," the premier continued. He added that the West has been "pouring oil on the flames of the conflict in Ukraine," describing the possibility of a larger conflict between Russia and NATO as a "mortal danger." However, this is the possibility that certain European officials currently entertain, he added. 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