Robert Fico, Prime Minister of Slovakia, expressed clear opposition to Ukraine joining either NATO or the European Union, saying: “Ukraine may never join NATO and it will have trouble entering the EU.”
Such policies are in line with Fico’s foreign diplomacy in general. He has stopped supplying military equipment to Ukraine and criticized EU sanctions on Russia. He also called for “normalizing” Russia following the conclusion of the Ukraine conflict, according to Politico.
By his policies, Slovakia has seen large protests. Tens of thousands of Slovaks have taken to the streets demonstrating against both his pro-Russia tendency and a potential Slovak exit from NATO and the EU. These marches, organized by groups including the Peace for Ukraine movement, have taken place in many towns like Bratislava. Participants make their clamp-down opposition known upon Fico’s foreign policy orientation and ask that Slovakia adhere to Western institutions.
The most recent meeting of his with Russian President Vladimir Putin in December was even more contentious. Critics view this special touch as a sign that Slovakia is going over to Russia, calling into question how sincere it will remain about its Western alliances.
In response, the Slovak opposition has tabled a motion of no confidence against Fico’s government over fears he is steering Slovakia out of the EU. However, it emerges that the government is likely to scrape through, given its slim majority in Congress.
The policies of Fico plus the ensuing domestic unrest reflect the ongoing argument inside Slovakia over the country’s foreign policy path. Should it continue to be firmly in line with traditional alliances, or should it strive for a new balance of relations with Russia?
