Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Tuesday that life in the Ukrainian capital was "completely normal" and that there was no war, a day before his first meeting with the Ukrainian prime minister and just hours after Russian rockets fell on Kiev.
Fico, who took power in October and reversed the direction of Slovakia's foreign policy to end military support for Ukraine, spoke at a press conference in eastern Slovakia, Reuters reports.
He is scheduled to meet his Ukrainian counterpart Denis Shmyhal in the western Ukrainian city of Uzhhorod.
The reporter asked Fitz if it would be appropriate for him to travel to Kiev to better understand Ukraine's war with Russia, which is approaching its second year since the Russian invasion.
"There is a conflict that is localized," Fico replied, asking: "You really believe there is a war in Kiev? You're joking, please, I hope you're not serious. Go there and you'll see normal life going on in the city, completely normal life ".
He added that it is more practical to meet in Uzhgorod, which he said was chosen by the Ukrainian side after Fico first wanted a meeting at the common border of the two countries.
Fico has previously made statements dominated by a pro-Russian attitude.
Bonus video:
