Slovak PM Not to Block Ukraine's EU Accession Talks despite Believing Ukraine Is Not Ready

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has said he believes Ukraine is "not ready" to start EU accession talks, but Bratislava will not block this "political decision" at the EU leaders' summit.

According to Dennik N, Fico said that he believes Ukraine is "absolutely not ready" to open negotiations, but his government will not block such a decision at the summit on 14-15 December. 

"We will not obstruct the decision of the European Council to start negotiations with Ukraine on accession to the EU. This is a political decision, it has nothing to do with reality. Ukraine is absolutely not ready to start negotiations," he said.

Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár also said that Bratislava was ready to support the decision to open negotiations.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is going to block key decisions on Ukraine. 

Austria may also vote against the opening of negotiations.