Thread by @Mylovanov

Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico called Ukraine "the most corrupt country in the world,” implying his opposition to Ukraine support.

But let’s look at the corruption and even! murder scandals connected with Robert Fico 1/

Fico is the 3rd time in the office of prime minister. He was forced out as prime minister in 2018 amid mass protests over the murder of journalist Jan Kuciak, who was investigating Italian mafia links in Slovakia 2/

Leaked messages suggest Fico was involved in trying to prevent a businessman's prosecution for the Kuciak murder. 3/

Fico's interior minister had ties to a developer under investigation for tax fraud but resisted calls to resign. 4/

After the Kuciak murder, financier Marian Kocner's extensive government connections under Fico's rule were revealed. 5/

Fico has been charged with running an organized criminal group as prime minister. But his immunity wasn’t lifted 6/

The Kuciak murder and subsequent revelations about ties between Fico's government and Kocner led to Fico's downfall and reforms of law enforcement. 7/

Fico's attacks on media and civil society aim to weaken institutions that can expose corruption. 8/

Fico is accused of deepening polarization and exploiting economic grievances to regain power, despite his disgrace. 9/

Fico is taking anti-vaccine, anti-NATO, and anti-Ukraine stances to appeal to his base, even if it contradicts his past positions. He smears opponents as Soros puppets. 10/

Fico is promoting conspiracies, stoking distrust, and appealing to anti-establishment sentiments among voters hurt by inflation and confused about the war in Ukraine. 11/

Now, still, let’s take Fico’s argument at face value and respond:

1. Ukraine "is the most corrupt country in the world, and this applies to all levels of governance."

Reply: 2022 Ukraine Corruption Ranking is 116 out of 180. Far from the worst in the world. 12/

2. Fico questioned whether it is right to provide Ukraine with 50 billion euros in assistance for 2024-2027, adding that there is no agreement among EU member states on this issue.

Reply: yes, there is no agreement but the most vocal opponent and blocker is Hungary 13/

3. "Has Ukraine's funding changed anything in the outcome of the war?" - asked Fico. He also asked whether anything significant happened as a result of this support and whether it is worth continuing to fund Ukraine.

Reply: Yes, yes, and yes. The Battles of Kyiv, Kharkiv, & 14/

Kherson were won with the help of the EU funds. Ukraine economy continues to operate with that help. Pragmatically, Ukraine has not collapsed, there are much fewer than otherwise refugees in Europe, and Russia is not at the border with the EU 15/

4. Fico said the EU has no "peace plan," and several EU prime ministers are "driven into a corner" over the situation in Ukraine because they do not know what will happen next.

Reply: it is true there is no officially published peace plan. And that’s the right strategy. 16/

The EU and also Ukraine shouldn’t make any concessions before the real negotiations take place. That’s just common sense. 17X