Slovak Opposition Warns Against Prime Minister's Peace Rhetoric Echoing Putin

A Slovak commentator has criticized Prime Minister Robert Fico's approach to discussing peace, arguing that his rhetoric mirrors language commonly used by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The commentary specifically warned against using Slavín, a prominent World War II memorial in Bratislava, as a venue where Slovakia's independence could be compromised. Fico leads Smer-SD, the ruling social-democratic party in Slovakia's coalition government, and has previously expressed views on the Ukraine conflict that have drawn criticism from opposition parties and some EU partners who view his positions as too accommodating to Russian interests.