Ukraine's Uphill Battle: Slovakia's Election Shifts Support Landscape
- IndiaGlitz, [Tuesday,October 03 2023]
The recent success of pro-Russian Robert Fico in Slovakia's parliamentary elections shows a continuing erosion of Western support for Ukraine, especially as the war continues with little change on the front line.
Slovakia, with its Russian ties, confronts uncertainty over Mr. Fico's coalition administration. This may be pragmatic like Italy's far-right prime minister Giorgia Meloni. Slovakia was the first to send fighter jets to Ukraine, thus this change is important.
In the wake of the election, requests have been made to transfer billions of dollars in Western military aid to Ukraine to domestic needs. This sentiment is popular in the US and EU.
House Republicans refused to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington due to military strategy tensions.
Once staunchly anti-Russian, Central European attitudes on the war have softened. The election of Robert Fico, who campaigned on social conservatism, nationalism, anti-L.G.B.T.Q. rhetoric, and welfare promises, shows this changing attitude, especially in rural areas.
Globsec found that 51% of Slovaks accused the West or Ukraine of primary responsibility for the war. Fico, a pragmatist inspired by Hungary's Viktor Orban, identified with similar ideas.
lovakia's foreign minister attended a Kyiv EU meeting, demonstrating its support for Ukraine. Mr. Fico may be influenced by a coalition administration with former prime minister Peter Pellegrini, who has pro-European views. Slovakia's attitude on the crisis is undetermined until a government is formed.
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