Slovakia Takes Over V4 Presidency as Questions Arise Over Fico's Influence

Slovakia has assumed the rotating presidency of the Visegrád Four (V4), the regional grouping of Central European nations comprising Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland, raising questions about how Prime Minister Robert Fico will use the role to advance his political agenda. Political analyst Tomáš Strážay has cautioned that Fico's stated positions do not always align with subsequent actions, particularly regarding the war in Ukraine — an issue on which the four V4 member states do not hold a unified stance. Fico, whose Smer-SD party leads Slovakia's ruling coalition and has adopted a markedly pro-Moscow foreign policy posture since returning to power in 2023, has consistently opposed Western military aid to Ukraine and called for a negotiated settlement. The V4 presidency rotates among its members and offers Slovakia an elevated platform in regional diplomacy, but analysts warn that divisions within the group — especially between Hungary and Poland over Ukraine policy — may limit what Fico can realistically achieve. Strážay's comments reflect broader concern among observers that Fico may seek to exploit the presidency to amplify his influence both regionally and within the European Union, where Slovakia's current foreign policy direction has already strained relations with key partners.