Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said Slovakia will not contribute a single cent to a loan for Ukraine, despite German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's threats to block the European Union's (EU) new budget if Bratislava refuses to provide funding for Kyiv.

Axar.az reports, citing Slovak media, that Fico made the remarks at a press conference in Bratislava on Tuesday, November 10.

“I don't care what Mr Merz says when it comes to Slovakia's interests. I absolutely don't care. I repeat: not a single cent for a loan or grant to Ukraine (...) He says he will block the budget? I can do that too,” Fico said.

"So I’m saying it publicly once again, from here. Slovakia will never support a loan to Ukraine, meaning another 70 billion. If anyone else wants to do it, go ahead. I can’t stop Germany, if it has a lot of money, or France or other countries from giving Ukraine money. Let them do it … I hope I’ve made myself clear and left no room for doubt," Fico added.