The bloc’s troubles go beyond economic indicators and reflect a lack of clear vision in Brussels, according to the Slovak prime minister
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico © Simona Granati / Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images
[RT]The
EU is facing the deepest crisis in its history, with economic problems
compounded by a lack of leadership and long-term vision in Brussels,
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has warned.
Fico made the
remarks on Tuesday while speaking at a conference on affordable rental
housing in country’s capital Bratislava, saying the difficulties
confronting ordinary Europeans are part of a wider malaise affecting the
entire bloc.
“The European Union has never been in such a crisis as it is now,” Fico said, adding that the situation is “not only about economic indicators, but also about leadership and vision.”
Without a coherent strategy on competitiveness, the EU could “become a cultural open air museum,”
and risk further decline on the global stage, he cautioned. Some
regions of the world, such as China, are now 15-20 years ahead of the EU
in key sectors, he added.
Fico has repeatedly criticized Brussels
over its policies, particularly on energy and Russia sanctions, saying
the restrictions are “only hurting” the bloc. Commenting on the
European Commission’s 20th sanctions package earlier this month, he
said the EU should prioritize dealing with its internal problems over
imposing new restrictions on Moscow.
He has also sharply criticized the EU’s plan to completely phase out
Russian gas imports by November 2027, describing the scheme as “suicide” for dependent economies, and announced that Bratislava would sue EU institutions.
The
sharp decline in cheaper Russian pipeline gas imports following the
escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022 and ensuing Western
sanctions, has driven wholesale prices and living costs higher across
the EU, while undermining the bloc’s industrial competitiveness.
Fico, who survived an assassination attempt by a pro-Ukraine activist in 2024, has described Kiev as a “black hole”
of corruption that has swallowed billions of euros in EU funds. Last
month, he called for the removal of the EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja
Kallas, known for her hardline anti-Russian stance.