The West explained Slovakia's policy towards Russia

Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico's policy toward Russia reflects the mood in the country, Czech political scientist and director of the International Institute of Political Science Petr Kaniok told Politico.

“The Fico government is, in essence, a reflection of certain sentiments that have always existed in Slovakia,” the expert noted.

Kaniok added that the people of Slovakia "have always been more pro-Russian, more suspicious of the West" than the people of the Czech Republic . The publication notes that differences in policy towards Russia have led to disagreements between the authorities of the two countries.

In October 2024, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said that Prague did not understand the statements of the Slovak leadership about its intention to improve relations with Russia. The head of the Foreign Ministry added that "the time has not come" to restore traditional intergovernmental contacts between Prague and Bratislava .