Political Analyst Criticizes Slovak PM's Moscow Visits as Morally Questionable

Political analyst Radoslav Štefančík has sharply criticized Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's visits to Moscow, calling them morally untenable given Vladimir Putin's role in Slavic deaths. "Vladimir Putin is responsible for the most destroyed Slavic lives in the 21st century. I cannot imagine meeting with him, looking him in the eye, pretending everything is fine and only caring about oil and gas," Štefančík said. The political scientist emphasized that leaders must maintain moral principles, stating that "a person must have a value compass that shows them where north is." The comments come as Fico, who leads the ruling Smer-SD party, has pursued closer ties with Russia despite the ongoing war in Ukraine and EU sanctions against Moscow. Fico has justified his approach by citing Slovakia's energy needs and economic interests, but faces criticism from opposition parties and civil society groups who argue that such engagement undermines Slovakia's Western orientation and EU solidarity.