Dávka - Your daily dose of Slovak news
♥ Support DávkaNewsletter
Last refreshed: 06/06/2026 15:39 · 51 articles added
Stories are refreshed at 05:30, 10:30, 15:30, and 21:30 UTC.

International Politics

View all2857 stories
International Politics

Hungarian Prime Minister to Hold Brussels Talks Including Meeting with European Commission President

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is scheduled to hold talks in Brussels, including a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. He will also meet with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever during his visit. The discussions come as Hungary's new government pursues an ambitious but achievable goal to meet European Union conditions for unfreezing billions of euros in frozen EU funds by the end of August.

SMETASR/Teraz
|
International Politics

Russia Threatens to Cancel Trade Agreements with Armenia Over EU Rapprochement

Russia has threatened to terminate trade agreements with Armenia in response to the former Soviet republic's growing ties with the European Union. The warning represents an escalation in Moscow's pressure campaign against Armenia, which has been gradually distancing itself from Russian influence following conflicts in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. An Armenian minister stated that the country does not wish to sever its relationship with Russia, despite the ongoing diplomatic tensions. Armenia, a landlocked nation in the South Caucasus, has historically maintained close ties with Moscow through various agreements including military cooperation and economic partnerships, but has increasingly sought closer relations with Western institutions in recent years. The dispute highlights Russia's broader efforts to maintain influence over former Soviet republics amid geopolitical shifts in the region. Armenia's pivot toward the EU comes as the country reassesses its security arrangements following Russia's failure to provide adequate support during recent conflicts with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh.

SME
|
International Politics

White House Rejects Iranian Claims of Framework Agreement Deal

The United States has dismissed Iranian assertions about reaching a framework agreement to end ongoing tensions, calling the alleged Iranian memorandum a complete fabrication. The White House criticized both Iranian and American media outlets for spreading unverified information and emphasized the need to rely on confirmed facts. Iran's state broadcaster IRIB had also claimed that Iran, in cooperation with Oman, should oversee shipping management in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil transport.

AktualityTASR/Teraz
|
International Politics

Slovak PM Fico Lays Wreaths at Soviet Cemetery with Russian Ambassador After Putin Discussion

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico laid wreaths at a Red Army cemetery alongside Russia's ambassador to Slovakia, following discussions he had with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the memorial site. Fico also spoke about arranging a commemorative event at the cemetery. The ceremony took place at a Soviet military cemetery, which honors Red Army soldiers who died during World War II. Fico, leader of the ruling social-democratic party Smer-SD, has maintained closer ties with Russia compared to previous Slovak governments, despite EU sanctions against Moscow following its invasion of Ukraine. The wreath-laying ceremony represents a continuation of Slovakia's recognition of Soviet wartime sacrifices, though such events have become more politically sensitive since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Korzár
|
International Politics

Experts Warn Hungary's Recovery from Orbán Media Propaganda Could Take Years

Media experts are cautioning that restoring public trust in Hungarian journalism following years of Viktor Orbán's propaganda apparatus will require extensive time and effort. The cleansing of Hungary's media landscape from Orbán-era propaganda represents significant news for Central Europe and offers hope for Slovak media as well, according to specialists. Orbán, Hungary's longtime prime minister, has been criticized internationally for systematically undermining media independence during his tenure, with his government controlling much of the country's news outlets through friendly ownership and advertising boycotts of critical media. The assessment comes amid broader discussions about media freedom in the region, where Slovakia has also faced concerns about press independence and political influence over news organizations.

Aktuality
|
International Politics

Czech President Pavel Urges Government to Fund Ukraine Ammunition Initiative

Czech President Petr Pavel is calling on the government of Prime Minister Andrej Babiš to move beyond merely coordinating the ammunition initiative for Ukraine and begin financially contributing to the crucial project. The Czech Republic has been serving as a coordinator for the international effort to supply ammunition to Ukrainian forces, but Pavel wants the country to take a more active financial role in supporting the initiative.

Aktuality
|
International Politics

Reconciliation pilgrimage in Brno highlights ongoing divisions over wartime memory

A reconciliation pilgrimage commemorating the Brno Death March took place in the Czech city of Brno, demonstrating that memories of wartime events continue to divide people decades later. The event honored victims of the May 1945 forced expulsion of Germans from Czechoslovakia, when more than 20,000 German civilians, mostly women, children and elderly people, were driven from Brno toward the Austrian border without adequate food, water or medical care during the chaotic period following World War II. The death toll from the march remains disputed among historians, with some sources suggesting thousands perished. The pilgrimage, organized to promote reconciliation between Czechs and Germans, revealed that the traumatic events of 1945 still generate controversy and differing interpretations of history among participants and observers.

Dennik N
|
International Politics

Russian Military Bloggers Purchase Own Drones, Lie to Putin About Front Lines

Russian military bloggers are purchasing their own drones and subsequently lying to President Vladimir Putin about conditions on the front lines in Ukraine, according to recent reports. The bloggers, who have gained influence in covering Russia's military operations, appear to be independently acquiring equipment while providing misleading information about the war's progress to Russian leadership. Russia's intelligence services have claimed that Ukraine is purchasing the accounts of these influential military bloggers, suggesting a broader information warfare campaign targeting Russian military communications and propaganda efforts.

SME
|
International Politics

Hungarian Opposition Leader Issues Ultimatum to Constitutional Officials

Hungarian opposition politician Péter Magyar has issued an ultimatum to President Tamás Sulyok and other constitutional officials, demanding they voluntarily resign by the end of May or face removal from office. Magyar, who has emerged as a prominent critic of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's government, warned that failure to comply could trigger what he described as the first major wave of regime change in Hungary. The ultimatum targets key figures in Hungary's constitutional framework, including those appointed during Orbán's tenure as head of the ruling Fidesz party, which has controlled Hungarian politics since 2010 and has been criticized by EU institutions for undermining democratic norms and judicial independence.

Dennik N
|
International Politics

Israel Warns Civilians in Lebanese City of Tyre Before Planned Hezbollah Strikes

Israel has warned residents of Tyre and surrounding camps in southern Lebanon to evacuate their homes immediately, announcing plans for targeted strikes against Hezbollah positions in the area. The Israeli military's warning comes as part of its ongoing conflict with Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group and political party that controls large parts of southern Lebanon. Hezbollah, which maintains both an armed wing and political representation in Lebanon's government, has been engaged in cross-border fighting with Israel since the group entered the conflict in March.

AktualityTASR/Teraz
|
International Politics

Zelensky Appeals to Trump for Air Defense Missiles Following Intense Russian Strikes on Kyiv

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has written to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump requesting Patriot PAC-3 missiles to strengthen Kyiv's air defenses against Russian attacks. The appeal comes after one of the most intense bombardments of the Ukrainian capital in recent weeks. Moscow this week threatened new strikes on Kyiv and called on foreign diplomats to leave the city, escalating tensions as the conflict continues. The request for advanced air defense systems underscores Ukraine's urgent need for protection against Russia's ongoing missile and drone campaign targeting civilian and military infrastructure across the country.

AktualityTASR/Teraz
|
International Politics

European Commission Plans to Favor European Satellite Operators in Radio Spectrum Allocation

The European Commission is preparing to redistribute key radio spectrum for satellite internet services to favor European operators over their American competitors. The initiative represents part of Brussels' broader strategy to reduce Europe's dependence on major American technology companies in critical digital infrastructure sectors. The Commission plans to reallocate crucial radio frequency bands currently used for satellite internet services, giving preferential treatment to European satellite operators in the redistribution process. This move reflects growing concerns within the European Union about technological sovereignty and the dominance of American tech giants in space-based internet services, as European policymakers seek to strengthen the continent's strategic autonomy in digital communications infrastructure.

SMEAktuality
|
International Politics

Trump Intelligence Coordinator Gabbard Leaves Post, Welcome News for Slovakia

Tulsi Gabbard has stepped down from her position as intelligence services coordinator in the Trump administration. The departure is viewed positively from a Slovak perspective, as Gabbard had been characterized as promoting conspiracy theories during her tenure. Her role involved coordinating between various U.S. intelligence agencies, making her positions on intelligence matters particularly significant for international partners. Slovakia, as a NATO ally and EU member state, maintains close intelligence cooperation with the United States, making the leadership of U.S. intelligence coordination relevant to Slovak national security interests.

SME
|
International Politics

Czech Public Media Directors Call on Babiš to Halt Media Law Negotiations

The directors of Czech Television and Czech Radio have publicly called on former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš to halt ongoing negotiations over new media legislation. The media executives are demanding a professional debate about the future of public broadcasting in the Czech Republic rather than proceeding with the current legislative process. Babiš, who leads the opposition ANO party and remains an influential political figure, has been involved in discussions about reforming Czech media laws. Public broadcasting independence has been a contentious issue in Czech politics, with critics concerned about potential political interference in media operations.

Aktuality
|
International Politics

Latvia Plans to Deploy Drone-Hunting Teams Along 400-Kilometer Russian Border

Latvia will deploy specialized mobile anti-drone teams along its 400-kilometer border with Russia and Belarus within the next two weeks. The Baltic nation is responding to a serious security situation in recent weeks, during which several unmanned aircraft have entered its airspace. Since March, multiple stray Ukrainian drones have crossed into the airspace of Latvia and its Baltic neighbors Lithuania and Estonia, all of which share borders with Russia and Belarus. The mobile units will focus on neutralizing unauthorized drone activity along the frontier as regional tensions remain elevated due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

AktualityTASR/Teraz
|
International Politics

Hungary Reverses Decision to Leave International Criminal Court

Hungary's National Assembly voted on Wednesday to cancel the country's planned withdrawal from the International Criminal Court in The Hague. The parliament approved the legislation in an expedited procedure, with 133 lawmakers from the ruling Tisza party supporting the measure to maintain ICC membership, while 37 members of the opposition Fidesz-KDNP bloc voted against it. The decision reverses Hungary's previous plan to exit the international judicial body, which prosecutes individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. The vote reflects a significant shift in Hungary's approach to international justice institutions, with the new ruling party taking a different stance than the previous government on cooperation with international courts.

Aktuality
|
International Politics

Austrian ruling party MEP warns against Putin meetings without confrontation

A European Parliament member from Austria's ruling party has warned that any diplomatic visits to Moscow must involve confronting Vladimir Putin as a war criminal. The statement comes as Austria continues to grapple with political tensions over the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ), which maintains close ties with Russia and has defended Russian aggression against Ukraine. The FPÖ, known for its populist and anti-immigration rhetoric, has also advocated for resuming Russian gas and oil supplies to Europe. When Austria's current government was formed over a year ago, many European leaders feared the pro-Russian FPÖ might come to power, raising concerns about Austria's stance on EU sanctions and support for Ukraine.

Dennik N
|
International Politics

German politician proposes associate EU membership for Ukraine as war continues

Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany's Christian Democratic Union opposition party, has proposed offering Ukraine associate membership in the European Union as an intermediate step toward full membership. The proposal aims to provide Ukraine with hope during its ongoing war with Russia by demonstrating that the country's fight for independence has meaning and that Europe needs Ukraine as much as Ukraine needs European integration. The suggestion comes as Ukraine continues to seek stronger ties with the EU while facing significant challenges in meeting full membership criteria during wartime. Associate membership would represent a middle ground between Ukraine's current candidate status, granted in 2022, and full EU membership, which requires extensive reforms and could take years to achieve.

Dennik N
|
International Politics

Poland and UK to Sign New Defense and Cybersecurity Agreement

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will sign a new strategic security agreement in London on Wednesday, marking what leaders from both countries describe as the biggest step forward in bilateral defense relations in a generation. The agreement will enhance border security, strengthen the fight against organized crime, and deepen cooperation between the United Kingdom and the European Union in defense matters. The comprehensive deal includes provisions for cybersecurity cooperation, reflecting growing concerns about digital threats facing both nations.

SMEAktualityTASR/Teraz
|
International Politics

Slovakia Withdraws Support for Putin War Crimes Tribunal After Interior Minister's Intervention

Slovakia withdrew its support for establishing an international tribunal to prosecute Vladimir Putin for war crimes after Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok intervened in the decision. A senior Slovak diplomat revealed that Eštok, described as a close ally of Prime Minister Robert Fico, called to demand the withdrawal of Slovakia's backing for the tribunal initiative. The diplomat characterized this move as part of Slovakia's increasingly pro-Russian stance under the current government. Slovakia's ruling coalition, led by Fico's Smer-SD party, has taken several positions that align with Russian interests since returning to power, including opposing military aid to Ukraine and criticizing Western sanctions against Moscow. The withdrawal represents a significant shift in Slovakia's foreign policy approach toward the war in Ukraine and accountability for alleged war crimes.

Dennik N
|