Tensions have escalated between Slovakia and the Czech Republic following statements by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who accused the Czech Republic of supporting Russia in the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war. This accusation has led Slovakia to reconsider its relations with the Czech Republic. In response, the Czech government made an extremely rare diplomatic move, signaling strong disapproval of Fico's claims. Meanwhile, international perspectives on the conflict and Vladimir Putin's position have been highlighted by Ivan Krastev and Sławomir Sierakowski, suggesting Putin is not as isolated as perceived by many in the West. Thomas Graham notes the upcoming vote in Russia, the first during a major war, as a crucial moment for Putin to demonstrate national unity and support in occupied Ukraine. Despite access to Western information sources, Russian attitudes towards Putin and the war have not significantly changed. Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová has criticized Prime Minister Fico for his stance on Ukraine, his contacts with Russia, and attempts to weaken the rule of law.
The Slovak Prime Minister says that Western strategy in Ukraine has failed and Putin has support from the Russian people and the Global South https://t.co/PdYEnbynJz
Slovakia’s president warns Robert Fico is testing ‘limits of democracy’ – Financial Times. Zuzana Čaputová has criticized Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico for his position on Ukraine, contacts with Russia and attempts to weaken the rule of law. Robert Fico is testing "the… https://t.co/qgAy4vCPLq https://t.co/z97RbxWZng
Slovakia's Prime Minister, Fico, has criticized the West's strategy in the Ukrainian war https://t.co/HBoqTidM20 https://t.co/esrv8QW3uM
"Russians have access to Western sources of information. That, however, does not appear to have noticeably changed their attitudes toward Putin or the war, at least so far," writes Thomas Graham. https://t.co/AJN7FbK0WQ
This month’s vote will be the first conducted while Russia is involved in a major war, and Vladimir Putin is counting on a strong show of national unity and highlighting support in occupied Ukraine, writes Thomas Graham. https://t.co/q8S4K5JHYZ
Vladimir Putin believes he has time on his side, and international polling by @ECFR suggests that he is not nearly as isolated as many in the West would like to believe, Ivan Krastev tells Sławomir Sierakowski. https://t.co/TDRMxCgHzz
Czechia shows diplomatic middle finger to pro-Russian Slovak Prime Minister: Extremely rare diplomatic move today. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico publicly lies about Czechia, claiming thaz we “support war in Ukraine”, in a sense that we like it. So yesterday Czech cabinet… https://t.co/wbmqVU7Cxp
Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico: The Czech Republic supports Russia in the Russian-Ukrainian war. We will reconsider our relations with the Czech Republic. https://t.co/HFEHi0jA4R