Slovakia's Shift towards Putin Sympathy Raises Concerns in the West

The victory of Robert Fico, a former prime minister, in Slovakia's parliamentary elections reflects eroding support for Ukraine in the West as the war continues and the front line remains static. Fico, who took a pro-Russian campaign stance, pledged to halt arms shipments to Ukraine and blamed both the West and Kyiv for the conflict. This shift in Slovakia, a country with historical Russian sympathies, highlights the growing nuance in Central Europe's view of the war. The election results come amid increasing disquiet over the billions of dollars in military aid provided to Ukraine, with demands rising for the funds to be redirected to domestic priorities.