Robert Fico

Robert Fico is the current Prime Minister of Slovakia. He is newsworthy due to his recent calls for the European Union to lift sanctions imposed on Russia following its aggression against Ukraine. Fico argues that these sanctions on Russian oil and gas are "absurd" and that the EU should resume dialogue with Russia. He hopes to secure Russian oil and gas supplies for Slovakia, particularly in light of potential energy shocks stemming from the war in the Middle East. His stance places Slovakia at odds with the broader EU consensus on sanctions against Russia. Furthermore, Slovakia is identified in a report by Civil Liberties Union for Europe as one of five EU member states where the rule of law is being systematically eroded.