Fico accuses both Ukraine and Czechia of meddling in Slovakia - Prague responds
Photo: Robert Fico, Prime Minister of Slovakia (Getty Images)
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has accused Czechia of interfering in the country’s internal affairs through its politicians and media. Just days ago, the Slovak leader made similar accusations against Ukraine, prompting reactions from both Kyiv and now Prague, according to Radio Prague International and the X account of Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico made his accusations against Czechia during a meeting with diplomats, including Czech Ambassador Rudolf Jindrák.
Fico also reiterated his claims that the Slovak opposition had allegedly been preparing a coup and planning to seize government buildings.
Series of accusations against Ukraine, France, and NATO
Earlier this week, Fico claimed that supposed attacks against him from Czechia were primarily aimed at discrediting former Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš. Babiš’s ANO movement currently leads in party popularity polls ahead of the Czech parliamentary elections this autumn.
A few days ago, Fico called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy an “enemy.” He also criticized French Prime Minister François Bayrou over warnings about the political influence of American billionaire Elon Musk and attacked NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte for his statements on Ukraine.
Fico’s latest "attacks" on Czechia
The Slovak prime minister has once again lashed out at Czech politicians and media. During his meeting with diplomats, he repeated his claims that Czechia is allegedly interfering in Slovakia’s affairs.
“Mr. Ambassador, I do not understand the interference of the Czech political and media scene in the internal affairs of the Slovak Republic. It is unacceptable for any opinions, views, or recommendations regarding Slovakia,” Fico said, addressing Czech Ambassador Rudolf Jindrák, as quoted by the daily Hospodárske Noviny.
Fico was particularly upset about how he has been portrayed in Czech media, claiming that Slovakia’s political leadership has been depicted in a way that is “far beyond what is acceptable and any notion of decency.”
However, he did not clarify what he believed the Czech ambassador should do regarding the work of journalists in Czechia.
Czechia responds to Fico’s criticism
In response, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala dismissed Fico’s accusations as “absurd.”
In a statement posted on X, the Czech leader sarcastically pointed out that before last year’s elections, Fico himself had received support from Andrej Babiš, the leader of Czechia’s opposition ANO party.
“Robert Fico’s accusations of Czech interference in Slovakia’s affairs are absurd. Unless, of course, the Slovak prime minister is referring to how Andrej Babiš supported him before the last Slovak elections,” Fiala wrote.
Earlier, Fico had claimed that Ukraine was allegedly involved in anti-government protests in Slovakia. On January 29, Slovakia’s Foreign Ministry summoned the Ukrainian ambassador to lodge a “strong protest.” The following day, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry, in turn, summoned Slovakia’s ambassador after Bratislava’s accusations against Kyiv.
