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.