Slovak leader's NATO-Russia war comments anger Czech Republic

Kremlin-friendly Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has angered the neighbouring Czech Republic by accusing western politicians of doing "everything" to spark a NATO war with Russia.

European leaders have been increasingly concerned about shadow operations across the continent, which they attribute to Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Fico -- now the only EU leader fostering close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin -- suggested in a Facebook video on Saturday the West was pressing for a NATO-Russia "conflict".

"The failure of the strategy to destroy Russia through the war in Ukraine is leading many politicians in the West to believe that, if this cannot be achieved through the Ukrainian army and its full support, everything must be done to bring about a conflict between NATO and Russia," he said.

Last Thursday he also said he did not want "Slovakia to be involved in an armed conflict because of Article 5" of the NATO Treaty.

Article 5 triggers assistance by NATO countries when a member is attacked. NATO says that this assistance may or may not involve the use of armed force.

Fico's comment angered the Czech Republic's President Petr Pavel, a former NATO general who led the alliance's Military Committee in 2015-2018.

"This is an absolutely significant statement that we should take seriously and which we definitely should not follow as an example," Pavel said on Sunday.

"If someone says (this)... they don't understand the word solidarity. And I firmly hope the Czech Republic will not follow this path," added Pavel.

The Czech Republic's Slovak-born Prime Minister Andrej Babis, an ally of Fico, said on Monday that Prague would "naturally respect Article 5".

"I will not comment on Prime Minister Fico," added the billionaire leader.

The nationalist Babis and Fico governments have refused to provide direct military aid to Ukraine, insisting they promote peace.