Robert Fico was elected for a fourth stint as prime minister of Slovakia in October after running a campaign promising to end support for Ukraine.
The populist firebrand profited from a deep distrust of Nato in Slovakia, which is a member of the military alliance and the EU.
Until the 59-year-old’s election, Slovakia was one of Ukraine’s most vocal supporters.
Mr Fico’s victory was seen as a blow to pro-Western forces and a boon to leaders like Hungary’s Viktor Orban who has also criticised EU sanctions against Moscow for harming the economy.
The left-wing nationalist is known for a love of bodybuilding, fast cars, and football, as well as being anti-migrant and one of Slovakia’s fiercest critics of Covid masks and lockdowns.
However, the canny tactician has been less confrontational in the EU and Nato since taking office than his campaign promises to not send “one more round” to Ukraine would suggest.
But, despite accusations that he is a pro-Putin patsy, he has refused to join a Czech-led coalition of EU states buying ammunition for Kyiv.
The eurosceptic’s third stint as prime minister ended in 2018 after he resigned during a political crisis sparked by the murder of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak.
He founded the ruling Direction – Social Democracy (Smer) party in 1999 and has led it ever since. Mr Fico also holds the record for the longest serving prime minister in Slovak history.
Emily Foster is a globe-trotting journalist based in the UK. Her articles offer readers a global perspective on international events, exploring complex geopolitical issues and providing a nuanced view of the world’s most pressing challenges.
