In 1991, Czechoslovakia finally saw the departure of the last of the Russian military occupiers following the breakup of the Soviet Union.

Scarcely had the celebrations died down when the newly independent nation did its impression of an amoeba and split into two distinctly separate entities — the Czech Republic (or Czechia) and Slovakia — and the principal concern became the rebuilding of their respective economies.

Politically, they each seemed to be on the right track. Both countries have since become members of NATO and the European Union (EU). But disturbing signs have recently been emanating from Slovakia as the result of its Prime Minister Robert Fico’s inexplicably friendly relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin . . . despite Russia’s war of attrition against Ukraine, and in violation of Slovakia’s obligations to NATO and the EU.

Following in the footsteps of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, Fico made a surprise visit to Moscow this week to meet personally with Putin . . . in direct conflict with the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy and its sanctions against Russia since the invasion of Ukraine in February of 2022. [Thomas Mackintosh, BBC News, December 23, 2024.]

The purpose, according to Fico, was to discuss supplies of Russian gas to Slovakia, now that Ukraine has refused to renew its gas transit agreement. In anticipation of the expiration of that deal, most European countries have established other means of obtaining the needed gas supplies; but Fico maintains that his country still needs the supply from Russia.

And he is more than happy to continue doing business with Vladimir Putin, frequently criticizing the EU’s support for Ukraine and saying that Putin has been “wrongly demonised” by the West. [Id.]

Much of Europe has been understandably critical of Fico’s actions and his continuing friendship with Russia’s tyrannical leader. Jan Lipavsky, Foreign Minister of Slovakia’s “fraternal twin” — the Czech Republic — has said that his government had managed to become independent of Russia for its energy needs.

And in Fico’s own back yard, Michal Simecka, Deputy Speaker of the Slovak National Council, has said that “Fico had made his country a tool for the Russian leader’s propaganda and his trip was a ‘shame for Slovakia and a betrayal of national interests.’” [Id.]

He added in a statement on X that: “If the prime minister actually cared about gas transit, he should have negotiated with Ukraine rather than turning Slovakia into a tool of Putin’s propaganda.” [RFE/RL’s Russian Service, December 22, 2024.]

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Not satisfied with backing Putin, Fico has taken jabs directly at Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, complaining that Zelensky’s favoring of sanctions against the Russian nuclear program was “unacceptable,” and that it would financially damage and endanger Slovakia’s production of electricity in its nuclear power plants.

To which Zelensky responded:

“To be honest, during war, it’s a bit shameful to talk about money, because we are losing people.” [Id.]

Since I could not possibly have said it better, I will leave it here.

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In countries that just three decades ago fought to throw off the yoke of Russian rule, now seeing people like Slovakia’s Robert Fico and Hungary’s Viktor Orban being elected to leadership positions is beyond disturbing . . . it is a terrifying sign of the continuing power of authoritarian propaganda in a world hungry for peace and prosperity.

But at what price?

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
12/24/24