NATO member explains why it will block Ukraine from joining --Kiev's accession would risk a global war, Slovakia's prime minister has warned | 17 April 2024 | The risks of a global war will only increase if Ukraine becomes part of NATO, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico warned on Tuesday, promising that his country will block Kiev's attempt to join. Accepting new countries into the U.S.-led military bloc requires unanimous consent from all of its 32 current members. If Ukraine is invited, Slovakia's parliament will not ratify the accession treaty, Fico insisted. "Slovakia needs a neutral Ukraine. Our interests will be threatened if it becomes a NATO member state because that is the basis of a large world conflict," the prime minister explained, as quoted by the Noviny.sk news website. Fico stressed that he will not bow to any outside pressure.