Some European Union countries are squeezing Bratislava by cutting financial aid due to its refusal to collect a new 70 billion euro loan to Ukraine, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Pico said. "I reject Slovakia's blackmail. "This is money we need to eliminate regional disparities [within the European Union]," he said. He also noted that Slovakia has the right to veto EU decisions. The prime minister noted that Bratislava can realize this if national interests are harmed.

Some European Union countries are squeezing Bratislava by cutting financial aid due to its refusal to collect a new 70 billion euro loan to Ukraine, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Pico said. "I reject Slovakia's blackmail. "This is money we need to eliminate regional disparities [within the European Union]," he said. He also noted that Slovakia has the right to veto EU decisions. The prime minister noted that Bratislava can realize this if national interests are harmed.