On prospects of Ukrainian-Slovak relations. What to expect?

Relations between Ukraine and Slovakia have finally been defined since the beginning of Russian aggression against our country, and in recent years have actually become closer. Before the war, we were not too interested in the neighboring country, in fact, just like Slovakia was in Ukraine. From now on, we will no longer become strangers, because despite its own challenges and problems, Slovakia has found a place in its heart for Ukraine.

The Institute of Public Relations in Slovakia, which is headed by our good friend Hryhoriy Mesezhnikov (by the way, his mother was born in Kurshchyna in Suja , and he has never been there) jointly with the Carpathian Platform published the publication «Slovakia and Ukraine: prospects for cooperation and players» and ​The formation and development of Ukrainian-Slovak relations, their development until now and prospects were investigated by the expert of the Carpathian platform Larisa Pylyaeva .

Mesezhnikov wrote about the approaches of Slovak political players to Ukraine and to Slovak-Ukrainian relations.

The authors of the publication emphasize that the most important, absolutely fateful issue for Ukraine at the moment is its survival as an independent democratic state, the preservation of Ukrainians as a separate ethno-national community, and the development of the Ukrainian political nation as the basis of independent Ukrainian statehood. The solution of this triune issue is currently completely in the hands of the Ukrainian state, Ukrainian society and the Ukrainian nation.

In achieving its strategic goals in the fight against Russian aggression, Ukraine is significantly supported by partners and allies who provide a variety of assistance (political, diplomatic, economic, military, and humanitarian). Slovakia, as a country neighboring Ukraine, a member of the EU and NATO, found itself in the center of events related to everything related to Ukraine.

The authors of the new publication expressed a common opinion that in the current conditions there is a unique opportunity to build a strategic partnership between Slovakia and Ukraine. A wide range of opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation is provided by several factors: the general security situation, common border, historical and cultural past, economic ties.

Be that as it may, Prime Minister Fico confirmed that Slovakia supports Ukraine’s integration into the EU, but categorically opposed Ukraine’s membership in the North Atlantic Alliance. He also announced the suspension of arms supplies to Ukraine from state stocks. The position of the new prime minister regarding the Russian-Ukrainian war can be characterized as consistent in its inconsistency. As some analysts point out, in the negotiations in Brussels, Fico emphasized his commitment to a common European course, while in other contexts he continues to flirt with Russia and criticize the sanctions that the EU has imposed on Russia due to its aggressive policies.

Fico’s position on issues related to Ukraine and Russian aggression against Ukraine is often interpreted within the dichotomous scheme of «pro-Russian « vs. «pro-Ukrainian». This interpretation certainly has the right to exist, but it is not exhaustive, since the leader of Smer-SD tries to present himself to the domestic audience as a person who cheers for his own country and perceives events exclusively through the prism of pragmatic national interests. However, such self-presentation often results in overt populism and flirting with voters who are attracted to pro-Russian slogans.

This is explained by the fact that Slovakia is characterized by less critical and more positive attitude towards the Russian Federation, which creates favorable conditions for the activity of propagandists of Russian influence. It is currently unclear how Slovakia’s policy towards Ukraine will develop. Different scenarios are possible – with different degrees of inclination or deviation from the common line of the EU. In this context, it is important to analyze the dynamics of relations between the two countries, to determine the priority areas and main areas of cooperation that can contribute to the improvement of relations between the countries in the future.

The image of «unreliable» Ukraine is widespread among the Slovak political representatives, which is due to the negative experience of communication with the Ukrainian authorities. Slovak diplomats often mention the unpleasant experience of cooperation with Ukraine, when meetings on important issues of cooperation were canceled at the last moment by the Ukrainian side.

A significant event that contributed to the stereotypical perception of «unreliable» Ukraine in Slovak politics, primarily in the discourse of Robert Fico, was the incident of 2009, when, in the midst of the Ukrainian-Russian gas conflict, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko canceled a planned meeting in Kyiv, thus disrupting an important gas agreement with Slovakia.

Even in the early stages of negotiations on reverse gas flows (since 2012), the Slovak side complained that Ukraine does not take reverse flows seriously, that negotiations between Eustream and « Ukrtransgaz « are canceled at the last minute, or that the Ukrainian authorities use them only as a tool pressure on Russia. For Slovakia, Kyiv was in the shadow of Moscow, and for Kyiv Bratislava was in the shadow of more important states. The role of Slovakia as Ukraine’s western neighbor was unjustifiably underestimated.

Ukrainian politicians and government officials perceived Slovakia as a small region in the west, as a region with low priority. Support in the war and the reversal of natural gas gave «new breath» to bilateral relations. Unfortunately, the understanding that Ukraine and Slovakia are important political partners is still limited to a narrow circle of the political establishment and experts. Despite the fact that the path of European integration of the Visegrad Four countries is often referred to as a model for Ukraine, Slovakia continues to remain the least known partner of the Visegrad Four.

Another problem is ineffective intergovernmental communication and weak interdepartmental cooperation at the level of individual state institutions, which is characteristic of both countries. Slovak respondents emphasize the duplication of functions of some ministries (for example, the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the field of economic diplomacy). This causes dispersal of information and duplication of functions between different departments, which, in the absence of a clearly defined action plan for bilateral cooperation, results in a de facto lack of coordination.

The position of Ukraine and its development strategy are perceived differently in Ukraine itself and in the international expert environment. Ukrainian analysts are convinced that the main foreign policy problems are the lack of a development strategy and Russia’s war against Ukraine. For foreign experts, internal problems remain to be major challenges, together with delays in reforms and corruption.

You can read about the attitude of pro-government Slovak political parties in the second part of the publication. Hryhoriy Mesezhnikov masterfully wrote out the positions of each.

Let’s stop at Progressive Slovakia (Progresívne Slovensko , PS), which became a parliamentary political force in October 2023 and operates in the opposition, setting out a clear position regarding Ukraine. This political force promotes the idea of comprehensive assistance to Ukraine in its struggle for state independence and repelling Russian aggression, supports its efforts to acquire membership in the EU and NATO, emphasizes the need to strengthen Slovak-Ukrainian bilateral relations and deepen mutual cooperation.

The PS party presented its views on Ukraine and Slovakia’s policy on Ukraine in its program for the 2023 parliamentary elections in the section «European and foreign policy, humanitarian aid». The document condemns Russian aggression, expresses support for the Western sanctions policy against the Russian and Belarusian regimes in response to the aggressive war, expresses solidarity with Ukraine, and contains proposals for Slovakia’s participation in the process of post-war reconstruction of its eastern neighbor. The special section of the «Support Ukraine» program of the PS pre-election document states:

«We will advocate for Ukraine’s membership in the EU. In recent decades, no country has sacrificed so much for European ideals as our eastern neighbor. At the same time, its entry would be a big boost for the economy of the entire eastern Slovakia.» The PS promises to «advocate for the continued provision (collectively or through the EU and other alliances) of humanitarian, financial, diplomatic and military support to Kyiv, which is necessary for the country to achieve success in fight against Russian aggression not only because it is humanely right, but mainly because the struggle in Ukraine today also concerns the security and sovereignty of Slovakia and the rules of the game in Europe, which are extremely favorable for Slovakia.»

The PS sees the post-war perspective of Slovakia’s possible participation in the reconstruction process of Ukraine, which suffered from the consequences of Russian aggression, as follows: «If Ukraine succeeds, the war will be followed by reconstruction, in which Slovakia can and should play an important role. The more Ukraine prospers, the more opportunities will be opened for business, primarily for the east of Slovakia. Therefore, the PS will appoint a national coordinator for assistance in the recovery of Ukraine, whose task will be to mobilize private and state potential, inform about opportunities and create a favorable business environment for Slovak investments in Ukraine.»

In the section «Cooperation for the purpose of development» of the mentioned program document, it is stated that in this area «cooperation with Ukraine will be the most important». In the section devoted to defense policy, PS advocates that in the field of defense, the Slovak Republic «adapts its forces, plans and training to new technologies and experience of such partner states as Ukraine.» The PS would like to «instruct the armed forces, intelligence services, diplomacy and other relevant branches of state administration to draw lessons for Slovakia from the course of Russian aggression against Ukraine, which continues until now.»

A brief summary of the party’s position regarding Ukraine and an outline of the desired policy of the Slovak Republic regarding its eastern neighbor is contained in the part of the PS program for the 2024 European Parliament elections entitled «Supporting Ukraine in the interests of Slovakia, primarily in the East»: «We consider comprehensive support for Ukraine in the war with the aggressor Russia is a matter of Slovakia’s principles and national security. Ukraine is our neighbor, so it is in our interests for it to be free and independent. Today, it is also fighting for Slovakia’s security, and its successful defense is the best guarantee that Russia will not come close to our borders.

We know from our own history that lasting peace comes only when the aggressor, not the victim, lays down his arms. Therefore, the main goal of the EU should be that the peace negotiations do not mean the capitulation of Ukraine, but a just peace. In the reconstruction and development of Ukraine, Slovakia can become one of the arteries that will economically connect it with the rest of Europe, which will be felt by the border villages and the largest city of the region – Košice. In practice, this means, for example, the development of roads, railways or electricity transmission systems. We will insist that the EU invest in the regions on our side of the border and allocate funds for cross-border cooperation in the reconstruction of Ukraine.

The position of the PS regarding the situation around Ukraine and Slovakian-Ukrainian relations during the last few years, primarily after the beginning of Russian aggression in February 2022, was most often represented on behalf of the party by its chairman Michal Shimechka and the vice-chairman Tomas Valašek , deputy of the National Assembly of the Slovak Republic. As the vice-president of the European Parliament, Shimechka spoke for comprehensive support of Ukraine from the European Union and its individual states. He pointed out not only the practical, but also the moral and political aspect of solidarity with Ukraine.

After the Slovak parliamentary elections in 2023 and the formation of a new governing coalition, PS representatives focused on criticizing the representatives of the ruling parties for their statements and practical actions that harmed Ukraine, complicated the relations of the Slovak Republic with Ukraine and its NATO and EU allies, and also played into their political hands the Russian regime.

They criticized the Fico government’s decision to stop the supply of arms to Ukraine, noting that the ruling parties are misleading the public about the possibility of a peaceful settlement because they do not have a peace plan. They argued that the lack of military support for Ukraine threatens Slovakia’s security by allowing the Russian aggressor to approach Slovakia’s borders.

In January 2024, Shimechka sharply criticized Prime Minister Fico, who characterized Ukraine as a state «under the absolute influence of the United States» and admitted that Ukraine would probably have to cede part of its sovereign territory to Russia in order to end the military conflict. The PS chairman said: «I would ask Prime Minister Fico, when he says that Ukraine should give up territory, if we were in a similar situation, what territory of Slovakia would he give up in the interests of peace? Would he give up part of eastern Slovakia? «. Shimechka called Fico’s statements «outrageous and heartless in relation to the people suffering from Russian aggression in Ukraine.» According to the President of the PS, these statements absolutely contradict the strategic security interests of the Slovak Republic.

In February 2024, on the occasion of the second anniversary of the beginning of Russian aggression, Shimechka called on the leaders of the governing coalition to resume military aid to Ukraine. He emphasized the tragic consequences of Russian aggression: «These are not abstract suffering, these are not abstract numbers. Behind them are the faces and destinies of concrete people, innocent men, women and children. And all this is happening right next to us, across our borders, in the country of our neighbor.» He remarked: «If we deny Ukraine arms, peace will not come. The fall of Avdiivka confirmed our words and exposed Smer-SD and Hlas-SD in shameful and deadly lies.»

For reference :

Larisa Pylyaeva is a candidate of political sciences with a specialization in the field of political institutions and processes. She worked at the National Pedagogical University named after M. P. Drahomanov in Kyiv as an instructor of economic and political disciplines. She wrote articles, authored and co-authored research on women’s and gender issues. At the moment, she works as an expert of the Carpathian platform in Bratislava.

Hryhoriy Mesezhnikov is a political scientist, a graduate of the Faculty of Philosophy of Moscow State University. In 1983-1993 he worked at the Comenius University in Bratislava, in 1993-1997 – at the Cabinet of Political Sciences of the Slovak Academy of Sciences. Co-founder of the Institute of Public Affairs (IVO), where he has been working since June 1997. Since February 1999, he has been the president of IVO. His research focuses on the development of party systems and party politics, as well as issues of democratic transformation, extremism, nationalism, and anti-Semitism. In recent years, he has focused on the analysis of factors of foreign authoritarian influence on events in Europe and Slovakia. He is the editor and co-author of several dozen books published in Slovakia and abroad. He regularly analyzes the Slovak political arena in domestic and foreign mass media. He completed internships and studied in Sweden, the USA, Taiwan and Israel. In 2019-2020, he was an invited expert of the Institute of Human Sciences – Institut for die Wissenschaften vom Menschen (IWM) in Vienna as part of the «Future of Europe» program, in which he continues to participate.

Contributed by the deputy editor-in-chief (Central Europe and Canada), V5 Media project manager Maryna Kovalchuk