Unexpected results from a social survey have stunned observers. According to research by the SCIO agency in cooperation with the portal Rozhovory so Šimonom, 14% of Slovaks surveyed openly want to join Russia, and another 18% consider this possibility.
Prime Minister Robert Fico states that Slovakia will provide neither financial nor military support to Ukraine in its war with Russia. Additionally, Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár expressed the view that the West should forgive Russia for the killing of more than 13,000 civilians, not including Mariupol, where the number of victims could be as high as 100,000.
The idea is most supported by students and the unemployed, which, according to SCIO analyst Martin Klu, rather reflects economic instability and disappointment with the country’s Western course than genuine loyalty to the Kremlin.
Attitudes toward military neutrality
Respondents were also separately asked about military neutrality. Here, 32.5% opposed neutrality if it led to a decline in living standards. Meanwhile, 15% support neutrality under any circumstances.
Socio-economic distribution of views
The least support for the ideas of “neutrality” and “Russian integration” is observed among people with higher education, urban residents, and citizens with above-average incomes. Analysts believe this is linked to the economic stability and better prospects of these groups.
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