Slovak Opposition Promises to Change Fico's Course on Ukraine

On April 6, 2023, in Senec, Slovakia, former Foreign Minister and presidential candidate Ivan Korčok stated that the country requires radical changes in its foreign policy. Since returning to power in 2023, Prime Minister Robert Fico has transformed Slovakia from one of Ukraine's most friendly nations into one of its most resolute critics.

Fico, who holds pro-Russian views, has halted military assistance to Ukraine, visited Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and obstructed European Union support for Kyiv. The pro-European opposition in Slovakia, which includes Korčok, aims to change this course after the upcoming elections in 2024.

Korčok, who served as Slovakia's Foreign Minister at the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, characterized Fico's policy towards Ukraine as "catastrophic" and a "significant loss of credibility for Slovakia." In an online interview with the Kyiv Independent on March 30, Korčok accused the current government of forming a "coalition with Moscow."

"(Fico) is betraying Slovak national interests," he emphasized. At 61 years old, Korčok held the position of Foreign Minister from April 2020 to September 2022. In the 2024 presidential elections, he ran against Fico, receiving only 47% of the vote in the second round.

Currently, Korčok is responsible for foreign policy in the Progressive Slovakia party (PS), which leads in polls with approximately 20-21%, ahead of Fico's Smer party. In a conversation with the Kyiv Independent, Korčok condemned Fico's policies as "anti-Slovak" and expressed full support for Ukraine's struggle against Russian aggression.

"Supporting Ukraine is not about being pro-Ukrainian; it is in Slovakia's interest," he added. "By supporting Ukraine, we are being pro-Slovak because I am a Slovak patriot."

Within the European Union, Fico has been a close ally of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Throughout the ongoing war, Orbán has consistently obstructed sanctions against Russia and aid to Ukraine, sometimes in collaboration with Fico.

A media investigation published on March 31 indicated that Budapest has lobbied against EU sanctions in favor of Moscow, occasionally in cooperation with Bratislava. If Orbán faces potential defeat in the parliamentary elections on April 12, Korčok noted that Fico could assume the role of a leading opponent of Ukraine within the EU if the Hungarian leader is ousted.

Fico and Orbán are currently in a tense conflict with Kyiv over the suspension of oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline, which supplies Russian crude oil to Hungary and Slovakia via Ukraine. Kyiv claims that the disruption occurred due to a Russian attack on western Ukraine, while Budapest and Bratislava accuse the Ukrainian leadership of lying.

In early March, Fico promised that Slovakia would "take the baton from Hungary" and block a €90 billion ($104 billion) EU loan for Ukraine, which Budapest is currently obstructing. Commenting on the conflict surrounding Druzhba, Korčok stated that Ukraine has the right to attempt to weaken Russia's war funding. The economic difficulties faced by Slovakia are a result of Russian aggression, not Ukraine, he emphasized.

"While Fico feels the daily shortage of Russian oil, President Zelensky feels the shortage of peace," Korčok remarked. Oil exports play a crucial role in funding the Russian military machine.

"However, it would be beneficial to de-escalate the situation if... the Ukrainian authorities allowed and permitted an EU mission to conduct an on-site investigation to see what needs to be done," he added. Ukraine has so far denied EU experts access to the damaged Druzhba facility, citing "security concerns."

If Orbán wins another four years in power, Slovakia's position may become crucial for the EU's efforts to limit him. Article 7 of the EU Treaty allows the remaining 26 members to restrict the voting rights of a member that has violated the bloc's fundamental principles.

As Fico has promised to block this mechanism, the position of the Slovak opposition may be pivotal after 2027. Korčok declined to comment on the potential use of Article 7, stating that he wants to avoid giving the Hungarian government grounds for claims of external interference in its policy.

However, asserting impartiality in the Hungarian elections, Korčok provided some insights into his views. "(The elections) will be a test, a test of whether Viktor Orbán, with his illusory policies, can secure another mandate and continue his divisive policies within the EU," said the Slovak politician.

Across Central Europe, populists have turned against Ukraine to gain political points. Slovakia is no exception. For Fico, Ukraine is an "instrument of division in society," Korčok noted. "He exploits the Ukrainian tragedy to sustain and push division in the country."

Anti-Ukrainian rhetoric has been a key part of Fico's campaign in 2023. He claimed that military support for Kyiv prolongs the war and accused "Ukrainian fascists" of causing the conflict in Donbas, borrowing elements of Russian propaganda.

Fico employs this method "when the existence of our neighbor Ukraine is under threat, at the moment when Russia is completely destroying the entire security architecture of Europe," Korčok emphasized. This strategy is polarizing, as the Slovak population remains divided over Ukraine. Fico's pro-Russian inclinations have sparked mass protests in recent years.