Central European countries show deep rifts on Ukraine war at V4 meeting
The Visegrad Four (V4), a group comprising the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia, is divided over how to respond to the conflict in Ukraine.
At a recent meeting in Prague, the leaders of these nations agreed that Russia's actions constitute a breach of international law, but they differ on both the root causes of the conflict and the type of aid to provide Ukraine.
The Czech Republic and Poland are actively supporting Ukraine with military aid, whereas Hungary and Slovakia are opposed to arming Kyiv, preferring to offer humanitarian and financial assistance instead.
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala acknowledged the divergent opinions within the group. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin as a war criminal and called for a clear denouncement of Russia's actions.
In contrast, Slovakia's Robert Fico criticized Western strategy and expressed skepticism about a military solution, calling for a peace plan instead.
He has been known to echo Russian narratives, questioning the causes of the war and resisting EU sanctions against Russia, as well as opposing Ukraine's NATO membership, arguing that weapon supplies won't alter the conflict's trajectory.
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stressed the need for peace talks, urging they begin as soon as possible.