Welcome to the Friday, December 19 edition of Today in Slovakia – we’ve gathered the main news of the day so you can catch up in just a few minutes. No need to search for news – the news has found you.

Article continues after video advertisement

Article continues after video advertisement

Robert Fico has partially delivered on his promise to become a political outcast in Brussels. At a key EU summit, Slovakia – for the first time – refused to endorse the European Council’s conclusions on Ukraine, formally breaking the bloc’s consensus, along with Hungary. While EU leaders agreed to provide Ukraine with a €90-billion loan backed by the EU budget, Slovakia declined to support the text related to Ukraine and refused to participate in guarantees for the loan.

Until now, Hungary had been the only member state blocking EU conclusions on Ukraine. Slovakia’s move marks a shift in Bratislava’s position under Fico’s government and places it closer to Budapest in EU decision-making on the war.

The loan, described by EU officials as a “plan B”, is intended to ensure continued financial support for Kyiv in 2026 and 2027. It will be financed through borrowing on capital markets and backed by the EU budget reserve, allowing the aid to move forward without unanimous guarantees.

On Friday, December 19, Robert Fico held a press conference at which he summarised the outcomes of the EU leaders’ summit and stressed his categorical rejection of military aid to Ukraine. Fico said he prefers to support Ukraine with civilian aid – but chose to overlook the obvious problem that for reconstruction to take place the war must first end.

Beyond the Ukraine issue, he criticised what he called the EU’s “double standards” in its enlargement process, particularly regarding Serbia, and called for a pragmatic review of budgetary priorities and energy policy. The main goal of the address was to underscore Slovakia’s so-called “sovereign foreign policy”, which he said is focused on humanitarian reconstruction rather than further escalation of hostilities.

Fico joins Orbán as Brussels outcast by blocking EU military aid to Ukraine

Prime Minister Robert Fico and Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. (source: Jozef Jakubčo, SME)

Fico criticises European Council summit outcome: Fico called a recent EU-Western Balkans summit “unsuccessful,” noting the absence of several EU leaders, which he argued had undermined the credibility of the process. He claimed that Serbia, which he described as actively pursuing reforms under President Aleksandar Vučić, is being slowed down politically, while Albania and Montenegro are considered ready to join the EU. Slovakia says it is a strong supporter of EU enlargement and aims for decisions on membership by 2030.

No Slovak money for “war loans”: Once again Fico claimed that EU financial support to Ukraine does not lead to peace but to further killing. He stated that military assistance ignores the “reality” of the conflict and the human toll, while ignoring potential diplomatic solutions. He declared that “Slovakia will not be part of any military loan for Ukraine, and we reject further financing, including from the resources of the Slovak Republic, of military needs, because we do not believe in a military solution to the conflict,” telling reporters that his government opposes EU plans that, in his view, prolong the war rather than foster peace. Fico argued that continuing to commit Slovak funds to Ukraine’s defence would not “serve peace” and stressed that Bratislava would refuse to participate in collective EU mechanisms for financing Ukraine’s war effort, framing the issue as one of “national sovereignty” and “principled objection” to “militarisation”. Fico also added: “Ukraine needs money primarily for reconstruction, not weapons.” The summit discussed enhanced cooperation, allowing a group of member states to proceed if unanimity is not achieved, but Slovakia, alongside Hungary and the Czech Republic, will not take part.

Fico warns of the human cost of military spending: Fico highlighted the enormous human losses: “If it’s 5,000 soldiers per week, that amounts to 480,000 dead or severely injured in a year.” He argued that current EU measures reflect “geopolitical struggles” rather than peace efforts, and declared that Slovakia refuses to be party to further bloodshed. What Fico neglected to explain is that the bloodshed is the direct result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022 and continues to this day. If the conflict continues for another 25 days, until mid January 2026, Russia’s war in Ukraine will exceed in duration the entire war (1941-1945) waged by Nazi Germany against the Soviet Union.

Do not defend, we will help: Instead of supporting Ukraine to win the war, Fico said he supports “practical aid” instead. He portrayed electricity supply and airport restoration in Uzhhorod as being more practical than the military funding that allows Ukrainians to defend themselves. He stressed the importance of focusing on “peace” and “reconstruction rather than weapons”, and said Slovakia will continue to advocate this approach in future negotiations.

The economic and energy problem: During the press conference Prime Minister Fico also turned to what he described as high energy costs in Slovakia, something that he attributed to EU regulations which he says threaten the competitiveness of modern businesses. He cited the 2023 closure of an aluminium plant in Žiar nad Hronom, which employed 500 people and produced 17 percent of the EU’s aluminium consumption. Slovakia must address energy prices to maintain economic sovereignty, he argued.

WHAT THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR HAD ON FRIDAY:

If you like what we’re doing and want to support good journalism, please buy our online subscription with no ads. We’ll mail a copy of The Slovak Spectator print edition to your home in Slovakia each month. Thank you!

In other news

• Slovak former foreign minister Miroslav Lajčák is renewed facing scrutiny after a photo surfaced showing him with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein at the Slovak embassy in Vienna. Prime Minister Robert Fico defended Lajčák, stressing he sees no evidence of wrongdoing and calling him an “excellent diplomat.” Meanwhile, rumours of Lajčák taking a post at the Slovak embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, remain unconfirmed, and officials note such a role would be a significant career step down for someone of his experience. Lajčák maintains that his interactions with Epstein were purely social and professional, part of standard diplomatic networking. At the time of their contacts, Epstein had previously been convicted and jailed (in 2008) for a child sex offence, and high-profile reports in the US media (from autumn 2018) had credibly linked him to a vast sex-trafficking operation involving as many as 1,000 victims – for which he was arrested in mid 2019.

• Five Palestinian scholarship holders from the Gaza Strip have arrived in Slovakia after a complex evacuation coordinated by the Foreign Ministry and its international partners. Due to the ongoing conflict, the students were unable to travel for the 2025–26 academic year, prompting Slovak diplomacy to organise their transfer via humanitarian convoys and cooperation with Israel, Jordan and Serbia. The students will begin language and preparatory studies at Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica, with most expected to continue in medical programmes. Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár described the operation as part of Slovakia’s broader humanitarian engagement in Gaza. Since October 2023, Slovak humanitarian assistance to the region has exceeded €670,000 and has included medical evacuations and material aid.

• On Saturday, December 20, Slovak scouts will distribute the Bethlehem Light across the country aboard 27 special trains operated by ZSSK. The first train departs from Bratislava just before 8am, with the final stop in Medzilaborce and the easternmost point reached at Stakčín. Members of the public can collect a flame directly at stations and stops where scouts are present. The light arrived in Slovakia on December 6, handed over by Austrian scouts and then passed on to their Polish and Ukrainian counterparts. An interactive map provides details on where and when the Bethlehem Light can be collected.

• Slovak Railways (ZSSK) has announced a temporary route change for international trains R961 and R964 between Košice and Uzhhorod. From December 19, 2025, both services will terminate at the border station Chop due to unplanned infrastructure work requested by Ukrainian Railways. The disruption is expected to last until the electrification of the Chop–Uzhhorod line is completed, anticipated by April 2026. Ukrainian Railways will provide replacement trains from Chop to Uzhhorod to maintain connections. ZSSK urges passengers to check official channels for real-time updates on schedule changes.

• Slovak exports to the United States remain heavily affected by tariffs introduced under Donald Trump, with the effective duty rate at 17.4  percent, the fifth highest in the EU. Although US tariffs were reduced to a uniform 15  percent in August, Slovak carmakers have seen exports drop sharply, with vehicle shipments to the US halving in September and overall exports falling nearly 42  percent year-on-year. Analysts warn that weaker demand in the US and Asia, particularly China, poses a serious risk to Slovakia’s automotive industry and wider economy, even as stronger exports to Europe provide some offset.

President Peter Pellegrini held a working lunch with Slovak MEPs. Attending were Erik Kaliňák, Ľuboš Blaha, Monika Beňová and Katarína Roth Neveďalová (all Smer), Branislav Ondruš (Hlas), Martin Hojsík (Progressive Slovakia), Miriam Lexmann (KDH) and Milan Uhrík (Republika). (source: Pavel Neubauer)

THE BRIGHT SIDE:

FEWER DOGS GIVEN AS CHRISTMAS GIFTS – The tradition of giving dogs as Christmas presents is fading in Slovakia, according to the animal welfare group Sloboda zvierat (Animal Freedom). While shelters still take in large numbers of abandoned, unwanted and abused animals throughout the year, fewer dogs are now being adopted impulsively during the holidays. The organisation stresses that pets should never be treated as gifts, but as long-term commitments and full members of the family, ideally welcomed after a responsible and shared decision.

ROBBIE WILLIAMS TO HEADLINE LOVESTREAM FESTIVAL IN BRATISLAVA – British singer Robbie Williams will perform in Bratislava on August 8, 2026, as the main act of the fifth edition of the Lovestream festival. Williams will perform hits like Angels, Feel and Rock DJ, as well as songs from his upcoming album Britpop, set to be released on February 6, 2026.

SAV PUBLISHES VACCINE ANALYSIS IN MAJOR INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL – Researchers from the Biomedical Centre of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAV) and the Comenius University Science Park have published a study in the international journal npj Vaccines analysing residual DNA in selected batches of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. The paper, produced following a government mandate, received five positive peer reviews, highlighting the scientific value of the quantitative analysis. SAV hopes that the publication in a prestigious journal will reinforce trust in Slovak scientists and their work.

SWIMMERS TO SUPPORT INJURED GIRL IN ZVOLEN CHARITY EVENT – On Sunday, December 21, Zvolen’s municipal swimming pool will host a 12-hour charity swim, ‘Zvolenská 12-ka for Natálka’, to support three-year-old Natálka, a local girl who suffered serious injuries in a traffic accident that killed her five-year-old sister. Swimmers will take turns in the pool from 8am to 8pm, with the public invited to join in by swimming 50- or 100-metre segments. Funds raised will go directly to Natálka and the Marína medical rehabilitation fund, supporting children and families in recovery. Organisers hope the event will create a small Christmas miracle, helping Natálka regain mobility and a normal childhood.

Natálka prepares for her special day. (source: Vodný svet Zvolen)

WEEKEND WEATHER IN SLOVAKIA: Christmas is just around the corner, but unfortunately the weather isn’t very festive. It will remain cloudy and misty, with occasional drizzle in some areas. Temperatures will be mild, ranging from 3 to 8°C. However, there may be some early-morning frost, so drivers please take care. (SHMÚ)

NAME DAYS: Dagmara (December 20), Bohdan (December 21), Adela (December 22).

Thanks for reading. Enjoy the weekend, even in this mysterious foggy weather and don’t forget to get those last-minute Christmas gifts! Take care and see you on Monday.

P.S. If you have suggestions on how our news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk.

Follow The Slovak Spectator on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram (@slovakspectator).

Join our newsletter family and never miss a Slovak moment: Today in Slovakia | Last Week in Slovakia | Slovak Science| Spectacular Slovakia | Slovak Roots