Brussels – Michal Šimečka, chairman of the PS party, the leading opposition in Slovakia, expressed in Brussels on Thursday after the Renew Europe liberal faction summit his hopes for strengthened cooperation between Slovakia and Ukraine. He criticized the Slovak government’s inconsistent military support for Ukraine but commended its backing of a new EU sanctions package against Russia, as reported by TASR.
Mihal Šimečka opposed the government’s stance, which he believes dismisses military aid to Ukraine through donations of weapons and equipment. He emphasized that significant commercial collaboration exists between Slovak firms and the defense sector, leading to Slovak arms being used to bolster Ukraine’s defense against Russia. Šimečka was in Brussels for a meeting with members of the Renew Europe faction.
During the press conference, he emphasized that discussions with leaders from France, Ireland, and Estonia indicated a lack of understanding among Slovakia’s EU partners regarding the government’s position. He mentioned that Slovakia recently “blackmailed” the EU, threatening to veto a new sanctions package against Russia while making unclear demands.
“This undermines Slovakia’s influence and options within European politics, further isolating us,” he stated.
Šimečka argued that Slovakia should increase its support for Ukraine and found it perplexing that current cooperation is limited to commercial means. He asserted that Slovakia must not, should not, and will not be isolated from the collective European effort to aid Ukraine against Russian aggression, expressing hope that Slovakia would regain its role as a constructive partner, reflecting the sentiments of the majority of its citizens.
On Thursday morning, EU member states finalized the 19th sanctions package against Russia due to its actions in Ukraine. Slovakia ceased its blockade following the government’s confirmation that Brussels addressed its concerns regarding high energy prices, revisions to the emissions trading system (ETS 2), and adjustments to climate goals for the automotive and heavy industries in the summit’s draft conclusions.
Šimečka praised the Slovak government for ultimately endorsing the new set of anti-Russian sanctions, despite what he termed earlier “theatricals and threats of a veto.” (October 23)
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