Volodymyr Ohryzko, diplomat, Ukraine’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs (2007–2009), and head of the Russia Research Center, said this in an interview with European Space program host Yuriy Fizer on Espreso TV.“Fico, on one hand, depends on energy supplies from Russia, so he ‘kisses the boots’ of Kremlin leaders; on the other hand, he relies on money from Brussels, which he receives like Orbán. They love the EU only for subsidies; everything else they dislike. Because of multi-billion subsidies, they are willing to do anything. We have long been asking the EU not only to offer carrots but also to use sticks,” Ohryzko noted.According to the diplomat, it seems Fico has already felt the stick and understands that losing European funds would mean the end of his career.“Orbán’s situation is worse — according to investigations, he has long been caught by Moscow’s intelligence services due to his ties with organized crime boss Mogilevich in the 1990s. This allows them to blackmail and manipulate him.The Kremlin uses Fico as a torpedo against European unity. If the EU does not accelerate internal reforms, it will become like the UN, where many talk but nothing gets done.To avoid this, voting rules need to be changed now so that a few of Moscow’s Trojan horses cannot block the EU’s work or control the process from within,” Ohryzko emphasized.Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár stated that the war in Ukraine can only be ended through diplomatic means and cooperation with Russia. According to him, Russia can be "forgiven for everything that has happened."At the EU summit on June 26, the European Council failed to unanimously adopt a statement in support of Ukraine: out of 27 member states, Hungary did not sign the document.