Romanian wild card George Simion sets Brusselsโ nerves on edge
The presidential front-runnerโs hostility to Ukraine is creating a rift with fellow European conservatives.
Robert Fico
Slovak protesters condemn PM Robert Fico’s Moscow visit to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin
Thousands of protesters gathered in Freedom Square in the capital, Bratislava, to voice their objection to PM Fico and oppose his anti-Europe, pro-Russian policies.
Ukraine war briefing: US embassy in Kyiv issues warning of โpotentially significantโ air attack
Warning comes as leaders of Britain, France, Germany and Poland are due in Kyiv for a symbolic visit; Trump says โget this stupid war finishedโ. What we know on day 1,171US President Donald Trump said on Friday he would like Russian President Vladimir …
Macron, Tusk slam leaders attending Putinโs Victory Day parade
The two leaders were in Nancy to sign a bilateral treaty, aimed at strengthening defense ties in the wake of Russia aggression against Ukraine.
Slovakian and Serbian leaders defy EU to attend Russian military parade
Robert Fico and Aleksandar Vuฤiฤ accept Vladimir Putinโs invitation to attend Victory Day celebrationsEurope live โ latest updatesDespite warnings from European Union officials, Slovakiaโs Moscow-friendly prime minister, Robert Fico, shook hands with V…
Fico shakes Putinโs hand as Russiaโs war victory parade kicks off
Slovak PM is the only EU leader to attend Red Square festivities.
Cypriot MEP Fidias Panayiotou travels to Moscow with German and Slovak lawmakers
The trio will be in the Russian capital on the same day as “Victory Day” celebrations.
Lithuania bans overflights for planes carrying Vucic and Fico to Moscow
“Security of all people travelling through Lithuania, including leaders, is our highest priority, so we took this decision,” Lithuania’s president said.
EU gears up for fight with Russian energy holdouts
Brussels will soon tell Hungary and Slovakia to stop dealing with Moscow โ whether they like it or not. But the EUโs enforcement plan is fuzzier.
EPPโs war on NGOs is driving a wedge through Europeโs political center
Conservatives face accusations of collaborating with far-right parties in NGO funding probe.
Ukraineโs ceasefire view: Putin doesnโt want Xi hiding in Leninโs tomb from killer drones
Kyiv fumes over Russiaโs Victory Day ceasefire plan.
Protesters in Slovakia rally against legislation they say could harm NGOs’ work
The rallies in Bratislava and five other cities are part of a wave of protests that was fuelled by Prime Minister Robert Fico’s trip to Moscow in December for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Protesters in Slovakia rally against legislation they say could harm NGOs’ work
The rallies in Bratislava and five other cities are part of a wave of protests that was fuelled by Prime Minister Robert Fico’s trip to Moscow in December for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Slovakia adopts Russian-style law targeting NGOs
Robert Fico’s government gets a narrow win as Bratislava parliament green-lights new crackdown.
Donโt go to Russiaโs WW2 victory day celebrations, EU warns European leaders
Russia has invited numerous world leaders to its annual military parade.
EU warns neighbours off attending Moscow victory parade
So far, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is the only EU leader that will attend Putin’s Victory Day celebration.
In Slovakia, our grassroots movement helped oust a neo-Nazi. We can do it again | Alexandra Bituลกรญkovรก
Professor Alexandra Bituลกรญkovรก explains how face-to-face local activism was crucial in bringing down Marian Kotleba, leader of the Peopleโs Party Our SlovakiaHaving grown up in Banskรก Bystrica in totalitarian Czechoslovakia, I vividly remember standing…
Elon Musk boosting influencer who platforms far-right Putin allies
Mario Nawfal has interviewed Serbian, Belarusian and Slovakian leaders and Russian minister of foreign affairs An online influencer whom Elon Musk frequently boosts on X has been conducting in-person interviews with Russian figures and key allies of Vl…
If the EU is to support media freedom, its members must lead by example
If the bloc hopes to influence the aspiring autocrats in candidate countries, it must establish a strong culture of independent media within its own borders.
Andrej Babiลก is a nightmare for European security, warns Czech election rival
Foreign Minister Jan Lipavskรฝ tells POLITICO that the potential new PM is propagating “Russian narratives” in Europe.
Slovakia grapples with new protests over โRussian-styleโ bill
Critics say the bill would discredit NGOs that receive any kind of foreign funding.
Czech PM accuses election front-runner of helping Putin
Skirmishes heat up ahead of this fallโs vote in Czechia, which threatens to dramatically reorient Pragueโs political direction.
Thousands of Slovaks protest in Bratislava against PM Robert Fico and his Russia-friendly policies
Thousands of protesters took to the streets across Slovakia to participate in regular demonstrations against incumbent Prime Minister Robert Fico and his pro-Russian policies.
Europeโs new unanimity: Orbรกn doesnโt need to agree
If the Hungarian prime minister wants to go it alone, he’s very welcome to, diplomats say.
How to confront Orbรกn and save the EU
The legal tools to address this internal opposition exist โ Europe just needs to use them, and meet the moment with courage.
Slovakia’s president completes cabinet reshuffle to secure government majority
The appointment of Samuel Migaฤพ as the new minister of investments and regional development was a result of a deal agreed on by three parties in the governing coalition headed by Prime Minister Robert Fico.
Serbia protests: How much trouble is Aleksandar Vuฤiฤ in?
As the biggest protests since Slobodan Miloลกeviฤโs regime rock Belgrade, POLITICO explains everything you need to know.
Massive crowds flood Belgrade as months of protests reach boiling point
After sweeping the country, ever-growing anti-government demonstrations have circled back to the Serbian capital.
Thousands of Slovaks protest against populist PM Robert Fico and his pro-Russian policies
Thousands of Slovaks took to the streets to take part in regular protest pro-Russian policies of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico.
Major split in EU as leaders get deal on arming Ukraine โ without Hungary
Summit shows backing for Kyiv, but Orbรกn veto exposes disunity.
EU poised to back return of Russian gas for Slovakia
Calling for a resumption of Ukraine gas transit flies in the face of pledges to cut off funding for Moscow’s war.
Trump deepens NATOโs crisis of trust on sharing intel
Military alliance members already had trouble trusting each other with classified information. It’s just got worse.
โWeโre in danger,โ NGOs say as German conservatives join far-right crackdown on civil society
New German investigation of NGO funding signals rightward power shift in European politics.
Hungaryโs Orbรกn heading to Paris for talks on Ukraine with Macron
The French president has tried to shore up unity on Ukraine โ but the Hungarian PM continues to push back.
Orbรกn and Fico look to derail European unity on Ukraine ahead of London summit
Hungary and Slovakia call for direct talks with Russia and energy concessions, pushing a stance that could weaken EU support for Kyiv and legitimize Russian gains.
Unlike Trump, Europe canโt afford to take Putin at his word
Vastly differing views of the Russian leader’s geopolitical ambitions are fueling the transatlantic divide.
How Czech-Slovak relations went south as Robert Fico turned east
Once united within a single country, the two republics are mired in a bitter feud.
Trump is โdoing Europe a great service,โ Slovak leader tells rapt Washington crowd
Russia-friendly Robert Fico says pro-Trump MAGA movement represents “a vision that resonates urgently.”
Thousands of Slovaks protest against PM Robert Fico, mark seventh anniversary of journalist’s murder
Thousands of anti-government protesters commemorate the seventh anniversary of the killings of an investigative journalist and his fiancรฉe in Slovakia.
EU far-right heads to Washington to surf on the MAGA wave
CPAC this year is more than a conference: it is a stepping stone for Europeโs right-of-the-right’s own โMake Europe Great Againโ moment.
Europeโs big guns sideline the EU to get real on Ukraine
Macronโs mini-summit shunned Brussels’ normal obsession with consensus and revealed a new core with the regionโs future in their hands.ย
The fight for Europe is on
At a time of intensifying great power competition, the EU has to choose between becoming a satrap of the U.S. or breaking free to steer its own course โ and it must decide quickly.
Slovak prosecutor drops complaint against Fico over Putin meetingย
The prosecutor, who based his decision on publicly available sources, said there was no indication that Fico and Putin concluded any new legal act.
Robert Fico, the Slovak leader who has made Ukraine his ‘enemy’
The prime minister makes no secret of his closeness to Vladimir Putin’s Russia rather than the European Union. This is much to the dismay of some Slovaks, who are stepping up demonstrations.
Slovakians protest PM Fico over govt pro-Russia policy shift
Huge crowds gathered in dozens of cities and towns across Slovakia on Friday to mount vocal protests against the pro-Russian policies of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico. The latest wave of anti-government rallies was fueled by Ficoโs recent trip t…
โNew realityโ hailed as Slovak protests against pro-Russia PM widen to small towns
More than 100,000 people hit the streets Friday across Slovakia and elsewhere in Europe to defend the country’s Western orientation.
Slovakia aping ‘Orban’s playbook on steroids’ says leading lawmaker
The country is witnessing protests against the Prime Minister Robert Fico.
The gunshots that changed Robert Fico
In today’s edition of the Capitals, read about the gunshots that changed Robert Fico, how Germans are not turned off by Merz’s far-right collaboration, and so much more.
The gunshots that changed Robert Fico
A political assassination attempt, like the one on Trump, may have a similar boosting effect.
Ukraine demands โimpartialโ inquiry into death of a citizen in Slovakia
Bratislava and Kyiv have been at loggerheads since the Slovak leadership cut off weapons flows to Ukraine and embraced Moscow talking points.
Slovak Christian Democrats oppose Ficoโs controversial constitutional reform
BRATISLAVA – The opposition Christian Democratic Party (KDH) has announced it will not support Prime Minister Robert Ficoโs proposed amendments, which seek to define only two genders, ban adoption by same-sex couples, and establish the primacy of Slova…
Europe should have grown up a long time ago โ now with Trump thereโs no choice
Europeโs leaders had plenty of warnings about what the U.S. presidentโs second term might mean, but amid much eye-rolling, hand-wringing and wishful thinking, they failed to agree on a plan.
Ukraine war briefing: elderly couples among nine killed in Russian drone attack
Thirteen people wounded, including eight-year-old girl, in Sumy apartment block attack. Sweden pledges $1.2bn in Ukraine military aid, its biggest pledge yet. What we know on day 1,073See all our Ukraine war coverageA Russian drone attack on a resident…
Slovak PMโs meeting with von der Leyen axed amid Brussels air traffic control chaos
Robert Fico was due to discuss his gas transit dispute with Ukraine with EU leaders.
Slovakia summons Ukrainian ambassador over gas transit feud
Relations between Robert Fico in Bratislava and Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv have become increasingly bitter over the month.
Pro-Kremlin EU leader reels after Russian gas supply ends
Protesters and opposition politicians call for Slovak PM Robert Ficoโs resignation
Slovakia leads EU charge to rein in supermarket power
Slovakiaโs right-wing government is spearheading a push to strengthen EU rules on unfair trading practices, saying the current reforms donโt go far enough.
Ukraine war briefing: US has not stopped military aid to Ukraine, says Zelenskyy
Comments follow an announcement from newly inaugurated US secretary of state Marco Rubio that he would pause foreign aid grants for 90 days. What we know on day 1,068See all our Ukraine coverageThe US has not stopped military aid to Ukraine after newly…
Slovakian PM rejects calls to quit as tension grows over shift towards Russia
The latest protests come after private meeting between Robert Fico and Vladimir Putin in DecemberThe Slovakian prime minister, Robert Fico, has rejected calls for his resignation after tens of thousands demonstrated against his governmentโs policy shif…
Slovak protests draw 100,000 denouncing pro-Putin tilt by Fico government
“There will be more and more of us. Those who want to live in our little Slovakia, but in a civilized Europe,” said Eva Kulovรก, 84, who helped topple Communism.
Tens of thousands protest across Slovakia against PM Robert Fico’s stance on Russia
Tens of thousands protest across Slovakia against PM Robert Fico’s stance on Russia
Ukraine war briefing: Putin aiming to โmanipulateโ Trump, Zelenskyy warns
Ukrainian president issues warning after Russiaโs leader said he was โready for negotiationsโ with US counterpart on the war. What we know on day 1,067See all our Ukraine coverage Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has warned that his Russian co…
Tens of thousands in Slovakia protest against PMโs shift towards Russia
Around 60,000 people gather in Bratislava to oppose Robert Ficoโs policy moves, with rallies also held in 20 other citiesTens of thousands of protesters thronged a central square in the Slovak capital, waving banners opposing prime minister Robert Fico…
Orbรกnโs new threat: Iโll end Russia sanctions unless Ukraine pumps Putinโs gas
But diplomats still expect the Hungarian prime minister to ultimately back down, perhaps as soon as Monday.
Anti-Fico protests build as Slovak PM mutters about foreign โcoupโ
Political acrimony is rocking Bratislava.
Orbรกn and Fico find common ground ahead of Davos
While both expressed support for Russian gas supplies, they diverged on Ukraine’s EU bid.
The post Orbรกn and Fico find common ground ahead of Davos appeared first on Euractiv.
Who loved Moscow more: Tucker Carlson or Slovakiaโs far-right chief?
See if you can get 100 percent in our quiz.
Austria is set for a far-right chancellor. For the EU itโs the โnew normalโ
If Herbert Kickl becomes chancellor, Vienna will join list of disruptive member states, putting EU policies in perilWhen Austriaโs Freedom party (FPร) entered government 25 years ago, shock waves reverberated around Europe. Punitive measures were impos…
Crisis? What crisis?ย Fico ally brushes off threat to bring down Slovak government
The opposition in Bratislava is angling to topple the prime minister’s Russia-friendly administration.
Ficoโs rival pushes snap election as Slovak PMโs Moscow trip backfires
Slovak opposition says Robert Fico’s trip was a “disgrace” to Slovakia.
Austriaโs Kickl brings Europeโs anti-populist firewall crashing down
Herbert Kickl’s rise ends a firewall that has kept populist politicians out of power in EU countries for decades.
Ukraine war briefing: Strengthen Kyivโs hand before peace talks, says Nato chief
Mark Rutte says Ukraine not yet in the โposition of strengthโ it needs for talks with Russia; Biden says US and allies โcanโt walk awayโ. What we know on day 1,056Ukraine is not in a strong enough position for peace talks with Russia, Nato chief, Mark …
My place or yours? Zelenskyy and Fico canโt agree on venue to settle ugly gas feud
Ukraine’s leader took a personal jab at Robert Fico after the Slovakian PM threatened to cut Kyiv off from electricity exports.
โWe are going to hellโ: Slovak PM Fico warns of snap elections
Robert Fico blamed his coalition partners for the crisis.
Thousands rally against Slovakia seeking closer Russia ties
Thousands massed in a central square in Bratislava on Friday, chanting “We are Europe”, “We are ashamed of Fico” and “We will not give up on Slovakia”.
The post Thousands rally against Slovakia seeking closer Russia ties appeared first on Euractiv.
Pump Russian gas or face the consequences, Fico threatens Ukraine
The Slovak prime minister has appealed to the EU to intervene in a growing row with Kyiv.
Fico says he secured gas supply for Slovakia in talks with Putin
Since 1 January Slovakia has continued receiving gas coming via Hungary, which receives Russian gas via TurkStream
The post Fico says he secured gas supply for Slovakia in talks with Putin appeared first on Euractiv.
In Austriaโs Kickl, the EU has its next Orbรกn
Vienna could be about to get its first far-right leader since World War II. Europe’s mainstream sees trouble brewing.
Austrian far right looks to assert dominance in coalition talks, hails โnew eraโ
Far-right leader Herbert Kickl says he’s prepared for new elections if his party can’t find a submissive junior partner.
Slovakia bending truth about Russian gas talks, says Ukraine
Claims Kyiv torpedoed talks on energy supplies don’t reflect reality, the country’s EU ambassador told POLITICO.
How a Gorilla devoured democracy in Slovakia
A sprawling government corruption scandal from 2006 ended multiple political careers. Failure to punish the culprits ended public faith in the system.
Poland takes over EU presidency with focus on security
Analysts say the Polish presidency is a key moment for Europe above all due to Trumpโs arrival and the situation in Ukraine but also issues related to the broader economy.
The post Poland takes over EU presidency with focus on security appeared first o…
Slovakia brings its grievances to Brussels after Ukraineโs gas transit โsabotageโ
Prime Minister Robert Fico said in a video message that his Smer party would consider cutting electricity supplies to Ukraine, adding that a Slovak delegation would discuss the situation in Brussels next Tuesday.
The post Slovakia brings its grievance…
Ficoโs Russian gas fearmongering falls flat
Kyiv’s decision not to renew a deal with the Kremlin hasn’t sparked the catastrophe the Slovak prime minister imagined.
Ukraine war briefing: New Yearโs Day drone strike kills two in Kyiv
Explosions boomed across the morning sky as Ukraineโs air force warned of incoming drones. What we know on day 1,044See all our Ukraine war coverage Russia launched a New Yearโs Day drone strike on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv early on Wednesday, killing…
Cutting off Russian gas to EU will have โdrasticโ impact, Slovak PM warns
Top Putin ally has threatened to retaliate against Kyiv.
End of Russian gas via Ukraine sparks unease in eastern Europe
Although Europe has fought to wean itself off dependence on Russian gas since Putin sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022, several eastern European states still look to Moscow for much of their energy needs.
The post End of Russian gas via Ukraine …
Always look on the bright side of life โ why 2025 might be better
5 totally not tongue-in-cheek reasons to be optimistic about the year ahead.
Ukraine calls Slovakiaโs bluff as Fico threatens power cutoff over Russia gas deal spat
Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko also says Kyiv can buy electricity from Romania and Poland if it loses supplies from Bratislava.
Russian gas flows via Ukraine for last day as transit deal crumbles
Supplies of Russian gas via Ukraine are due to stop from the early hours of 1 January, as Kyiv has refused to negotiate a new transit deal.
The post Russian gas flows via Ukraine for last day as transit deal crumbles appeared first on Euractiv.
Zelenskyy hits back at Slovak PM Fico as gas transit dispute deepens
“Slovakia is part of the single European energy market and Fico must respect common EU rules,” Zelenskyy said, adding that cutting power supplies to Ukraine would deprive Slovakia of 19% of the electricity it imports. .
The post Zelenskyy hits back at …
Fico threatens to cut electricity supplies to Ukraine
Diplomatic spat between Slovakia and Ukraine continues.
Russia-Ukraine war live: Moscow says Kyiv plot to kill high-ranking officer with music speaker bomb foiled
Claim from FSB comes two weeks after Ukrainian assassination of senior Russian general Igor KirillovOn 8 March 2023, International Womenโs Day, Russian soldiers were handing out tulips and boughs of mimosa to women and girls in the city of Melitopol, s…
Slovakia to consider reciprocal measures if Ukraine stops Russian gas transit
“If it is unavoidable, we will halt the electricity supplies that Ukraine needs during grid outages. Or we will agree on a different course of action,” said Robert Fico.
The post Slovakia to consider reciprocal measures if Ukraine stops Russian gas tra…
Ukraine war briefing: โHuman waveโ of North Korean troops being sent to their deaths, says US
Kyiv reports heavy casualties among Pyongyangโs soldiers in Russia while Washington accuses generals of seeing the troops as โexpendableโ. What we know on day 1,039See all our Ukraine war coverageNorth Korean troops deployed in Russiaโs Kursk region ar…
Slovakia confirms readiness to host Ukraine talks
Putin said Thursday that Slovakia had offered to be a “platform” for possible peace talks. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is close to the Kremlin.
Putin says Slovakia could host peace talks with Ukraine
Putin said that Fico, an outspoken opponent of EU support for Ukraine, had offered his country as to host talks between Russia and Ukraine.
The post Putin says Slovakia could host peace talks with Ukraine appeared first on Euractiv.
Slovak PM Fico offered to host Moscow-Kyiv peace talks, Putin claims
“Why not?” Russian president asked reporters. “For us it’s an acceptable alternative.”
Zelensky accuses Slovak PM Fico of aiding Putin
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticised Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico for his stance on Russian gas imports, accusing him of helping President Vladimir Putin fund the war in Ukraine. This comes after Ficoโs visit to Moscow, where he …
Ukraine war briefing: more than 3,000 North Korean military casualties in Russiaโs Kursk, claims Zelenskyy
Ukraine president criticises world leaders for doing โalmost nothingโ to counteract Moscowโs military cooperation with Pyongyang. What we know on day 1,035Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that more than 3,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wound…