Czechs burn bridge with Moscow-boosting Slovaks

On March 2, days earlier than Fiala canceled the casual retreats, Slovak International Minister Juraj Blanár met with Russian International Minister Sergey Lavrov in Turkey. Fico reported the pair mentioned “the chances that will come up at a deliberate peace summit in Switzerland,” and mentioned the assembly with Lavrov expressed “our balanced and sovereign Slovak overseas coverage towards all sides.”

In late February, at an off-the-cuff assembly of regional leaders dubbed the Visegrád 4, Fico and Hungary Prime Minister Viktor Orban — who favor peace talks and fault Ukraine for the conflict — lined up towards Fiala and his Polish counterpart, Donald Tusk, who each help Ukraine in its battle towards Russia.

“I feel I can say there are variations amongst us,” Fiala mentioned.

This previous weekend, Fico famous the withdrawal of an Italian air protection system from Slovakia and requested who would shield the nation’s nuclear reactors. Czech Minister for European Affairs Martin Dvořák shot again, “He ought to ask Putin, in the event that they’re such nice mates and it’s so essential to rehabilitate [the Russian president], perhaps Russia would supply its safety.”

For its half, the overseas ministry in Bratislava has summoned Dutch ambassador Gabriella Sancisi over a debate her embassy is organizing Thursday in Prague on the political scenario in Slovakia. The ministry criticized the choice to ask diplomats from each EU nation — however not Slovakia.

“The Slovak overseas ministry rejects such interference with the inner affairs of the Slovak Republic,” the ministry mentioned in a press assertion.