Pro-Russian politician takes office as Slovakia’s PM

On 25 October, pro-Russian leader of the SMER party Robert Fico was appointed Prime Minister of Slovakia, the European Pravda reported. During the ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Bratislava, the President of Slovakia, Zuzana Chaputova, said that the new government has to deal with various challenges, including rising energy and food prices. Chaputova expressed hope that Fico's government would maintain good relations with neighboring countries, including Ukraine. Robert Fico made anti-Ukrainian statements numerous times during his election campaign this fall. Officials who did not support Ukraine were appointed to key positions in the new Slovak government. Newly appointed Slovakia's Foreign Minister, Yuri Blanar, had called the Russian aggression against Ukraine "a conflict between Russia and the United States," claimed that Ukraine was "fighting against its own people," and opposed the supply of weapons to Ukraine. Robert Fico has held the position of Slovakia’s PM twice, 2006-2008 and 2012-2018. In 2018, he stepped down in the wake of the murder of the young journalist Jan Kuciak, who was investigating mafia activities and implicating some of Fico’s associates. Slovakia’s crucial military support to Ukraine faces uncertainty after Robert Fico’s narrow election victory. Slovakia provided air defense systems and fighter jets early in the invasion. However, Fico pledged to cease this aid if elected, echoing Kremlin talking points for political and economic opportunism despite Russia’s aggression. After campaigning to end military aid to Ukraine, Robert Fico’s party confidently won the parliamentary elections held on 30 September in Slovakia. Related:

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