Could one of Ukraine’s staunchest allies in Europe soon flip to become one of the most sceptical nations in the West when it comes to military and political aid? That question is troubling Kyiv and the EU, as a political crisis in Slovakia leaves the door wide open for a party to take over which is more hostile to Ukraine.
It was announced on Sunday that a technocratic caretaker government will be formed next week following the resignation of the Slovak prime minister, Eduard Heger. An election is expected in September, which the left-wing populist and Ukraine-sceptic Robert Fico is now favourite to win.
While the vast majority of Slovak politicians and media are strongly pro-Ukraine, much of the electorate is either ambivalent about the war or even actively pro-Russian
Heger’s resignation marks the culmination of a farcical long-term political crisis in Slovakia. Members of his own caretaker regime had departed one by one, eventually leaving him in sole charge of various ministries including health, foreign affairs, finance and agriculture. After
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