Slovak leader's NATO-Russia war comments anger Czech Republic

Kremlin-friendly Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has angered the neighbouring Czech Republic by accusing western politicians of doing "everything" to spark a NATO war with Russia.

Fico last week questioned NATO solidarity, angering President Petr Pavel of the Czech Republic.

European leaders have been increasingly concerned about shadow operations across the continent they attribute to Russia amid its invasion of Ukraine since February 2022.

Fico -- now the only EU leader fostering close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin -- suggested in a Facebook video on Saturday the West was pressing for a NATO-Russia "conflict".

"The failure of the strategy to destroy Russia through the war in Ukraine is leading many politicians in the West to believe that, if this cannot be achieved through the Ukrainian army and its full support, everything must be done to bring about a conflict between NATO and Russia," he said.

Last Thursday he also said he did not want "Slovakia to be involved in an armed conflict because of Article 5" of the NATO Treaty.

Article 5 triggers compulsory military assistance by NATO countries whenever another member is attacked.

Pavel, a former NATO general who led the alliance's Military Committee in 2015-2018, reacted angrily.

"This is an absolutely significant statement that we should take seriously and which we definitely should not follow as an example," Pavel said on Sunday.

"If someone says (this)... they don't understand the word solidarity. And I firmly hope the Czech Republic will not follow this path," added Pavel.

The Czech Republic's Slovak-born Prime Minister Andrej Babis has not become involved in the dispute so far. The billionaire leader is an ally of Fico.

The Babis and Fico governments, both nationalist, have refused to provide direct military aid to Ukraine, insisting they promote peace.