Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in May, has revealed that he faced another threat to his life due to his views on the Ukraine conflict. In an alarming turn of events, Fico was shot at close range by an activist who disagreed with his position on Ukraine.
In early October, during an event honoring a World War II battle in eastern Slovakia, an armed man was detained. Fico shared this news in an interview with a local news outlet called Standard. He explained that this man “hates” him because of his opinions about Ukraine. When the suspect went through a metal detector, authorities found “a fully loaded weapon” on him.
This event took place on October 6, marking the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Dukla Pass, where German and Soviet forces fought near the Polish border. Many important figures, including President Peter Pellegrini and various government and parliament members, were in attendance.
Fico has been very vocal against the European Union’s decision to send military aid to Ukraine in its struggle against Russia. He advocates for a peaceful solution instead of escalating the conflict with weapons.
In the earlier attack in May, Fico was shot four times by a man named Juraj Cintula, who was reportedly driven by Fico’s refusal to send arms to Ukraine. Fico described himself as “lucky” to have survived that ordeal. He noted that Cintula had previously attended his public meetings, suggesting that the attack may have been premeditated.
After the May incident, Fico expressed his belief that the attempt on his life was linked to foreign politicians who opposed his government’s focus on Slovakia’s national interests rather than the agendas of larger Western powers.
Fico’s situation highlights the dangerous political climate surrounding the Ukraine conflict, showing how deeply divided opinions can lead to extreme actions.
