Slovak Prime Minister Fico met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Fico asked NATO to strengthen Slovakia's air defense, emphasizing the country's sovereign right to choose the pace and structure of military spending.
Thousands of Slovaks protested against Prime Minister Robert Fico and his pro-Russian stance. The rallies took place on the anniversary of the 1989 Velvet Revolution, which Fico's government canceled as a public holiday.
The planned address by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, which was supposed to take place today, has been canceled. The reason was the illness of the head of government, who, according to the deputy head of the Smer party, contracted a virus.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, during a speech at a school in Poprad, called on schoolchildren who support Ukraine to go to war with the Russians. Some students left the hall, unfurling the Ukrainian flag.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged EU allies to overcome differences on using frozen Russian assets, as new funding is critical for the country's economy. The EU has postponed a decision until December on using Russian state assets to provide Ukraine with €140 billion in loans, facing objections from Belgium and Slovakia.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said that his country would not support the European Union's idea of using Russian assets to cover Ukraine's military expenses. Fico will not support the use of 140 billion euros from frozen Russian assets to go towards Ukraine's reconstruction or aid.
In October, Petro Poroshenko declared over 55 million hryvnias in income, of which almost 52. 5 million came from the Ministry of Finance of Hungary. This is the return of principal and interest on Hungarian government bonds, as well as over 2.4 million hryvnias in interest from capital withdrawn from Ukraine.
Andrej Babiš, leader of the ANO movement, has agreed on a government coalition with the right-conservative Motoristen party and the anti-European SPD. Babiš previously stated that he would not provide Ukraine with money for weapons from the budget.
Hungary seeks to join forces with the Czech Republic and Slovakia to form an alliance of Ukraine skeptics in the EU. This could complicate EU efforts to provide financial and military support to Ukraine.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that his country will not participate in EU initiatives for military support to Ukraine, considering Brussels' plans to provide Kyiv with 140 billion euros as "the biggest mistake. " The head of Slovak diplomacy, Juraj Blanár, denied Slovakia's isolation, citing the support of partners in exceptions for the export of Russian oil products.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that his government will never sign a loan guarantee for Ukraine for military expenditures. Slovakia will not spend a single cent from its own budget for these purposes, but is ready to help Ukraine with humanitarian issues.
In Rostov-on-Don, Russians sentenced the administrator of a Telegram channel from Melitopol to 14 years, accusing her of terrorism.
The European Union is preparing to approve the 19th package of sanctions against Russia, which includes a ban on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas from 2027. The package also targets Russian banks, lenders in Central Asia, and cryptocurrency exchanges, expanding trade restrictions and blacklisting oil tankers.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced evidence of attempts to disrupt a meeting between US and Russian representatives in Budapest. He called for an unhindered Trump-Putin summit with EU support.
Ukraine's allies are seeking to strengthen its position ahead of Trump-Putin talks, fearing a bad deal. They are preparing a support package that includes funding, weapons, and new sanctions against Russia, and plan to involve Zelenskyy in any negotiations.
72-year-old Juraj Cintula was sentenced to 21 years in prison for the attack on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. The court took advantage of the possibility of an extraordinary reduction of the sentence, although the attack was recognized as an act of terrorism.
Slovakia will transfer a new energy equipment package worth 500,000 euros to Ukraine. The country will also allocate 300,000 euros for the construction of shelters in schools in frontline areas.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated the country's interest in friendly relations with everyone who wishes to cooperate, including Russia and China. At the same time, Slovakia strives to be a good neighbor to Ukraine and help it.
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko proposed to her Slovak counterpart Robert Fico to discuss the possibility of opening a Ukrainian school in Slovakia. Fico did not object to this idea.
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced Ukraine's readiness to offer alternative sources and synchronize systems with Slovakia. This should protect Slovakia from energy supply risks and create a new regional energy hub.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated his support for Ukraine's independence and territorial integrity. He also advocated for a meeting between Putin and Trump in Hungary, offering assistance in organizing it.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that his country fully supports a meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Budapest. Slovakia is ready to assist Hungary in organizing this summit, as the main interest is to end the war in Ukraine.
Slovakia plans to provide humanitarian aid and demining support to Ukraine. At the government meeting, they will discuss protection against drones and strengthening Slovakia's defense.
Members of the Slovak and Ukrainian governments will meet in Košice on October 17, 2025, for further mutual consultations. The meeting will include bilateral talks on various issues, including cross-border cooperation, energy, and the reconstruction of Ukraine.
Austria has suspended the adoption of the 19th package of EU sanctions against Russia, demanding the unfreezing of Rasperia Trading assets to compensate Raiffeisen Bank. The bank seeks to recover 2.1 billion euros it lost due to a Russian court decision.
Slovakia will transfer five Bozena vehicles and other demining equipment to Ukraine. An agreement has been signed for the gratuitous transfer of engineering, construction, transport, and medical equipment.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico will not attend the summit of EU leaders in Copenhagen due to health problems. It is currently unknown whether this is related to the consequences of the assassination attempt in May 2024.
Slovakia and Hungary have stated that they will resist pressure from US President Donald Trump to reduce imports of Russian oil and gas until alternative suppliers are secured. Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Sakova and Hungarian Government Minister Gergely Gulyás confirmed that their countries would not take steps that threaten their energy security.
Thousands of people protested across Slovakia against the economic and pro-Russian policies of Prime Minister Robert Fico. Rallies took place in 16 cities, including the capital Bratislava, due to Fico's trip to China and meeting with Putin, as well as due to austerity measures.
This decision is linked to Fico's rapprochement with Putin and Xi Jinping, as well as accusations of violating the rule of law.
