Controversial Remarks by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico made a controversial remark during a classroom lecture in Poprad, urging pro-Kiev students to ‘go fight for Ukraine.’ This statement came as part of his ongoing stance against sending military aid to Ukraine and opposing the EU’s plan to allocate an additional €140 billion to Kiev. Fico’s position differs from most EU leaders, who have generally supported military and financial aid to Ukraine amidst the conflict.
The incident occurred when a group of students, dressed in black shirts and jingling keys, protested against Fico’s stance on the Ukraine conflict. The students’ actions, which are a form of protest in Slovakia, led to a heated exchange of words, with the students disapproving of Fico’s remarks. After his statement, a group of students wearing black shirts and jingling keys walked out of the classroom, with one briefly raising a Ukrainian flag as they exited.
Fico’s SMER SSD party released the full recording of the event, claiming that the public can ‘listen and compare reality with what the progressive media reported.’ The party emphasized that selective clips, which had been circulated by several outlets, omitted the context of the event. Fico later posted on Facebook, reacting to the walkout, stating that ‘when there was an opportunity to discuss, they stood up and left.’
Earlier this year, the Slovak Information Service intelligence agency raised concerns about the political opposition preparing a coup similar to the one launched in Kiev in February 2014. In January, a Ukrainian national was arrested and expelled from Slovakia in connection with the alleged plot. Last year, Fico survived an assassination attempt by an activist who had targeted him for his refusal to follow NATO and EU policy on Ukraine.
The situation has sparked a broader conversation about the role of political figures in shaping public opinion and the nature of dissent within democratic societies. Fico’s remarks have intensified discussions on the division of public sentiment towards the Ukraine conflict and the role of media in shaping narratives.