Stories from Bratislava · Slovakia

A business owned by the family of Slovakian politician Babiš has been fined 21 million euros.

Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that the conflict in Ukraine has no military solution and must be resolved through diplomacy. Fico's comments follow reports from the EU regarding the resumption of Russian oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline to Slovakia and Hungary. The pipeline had been blocked by Kyiv since late January due to reported damages. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a phone call to discuss visits between Kyiv and Bratislava. Zelensky stated the importance of strong relations between their countries and expressed that Slovakia supports Ukraine's membership in the European Union. Both leaders announced the discussion on their social media.

Demonstrators are marching through Bratislava to protest the administration of Robert Fico. The protests are driven by concerns regarding pro-Russian foreign policy, corruption, and interference in the judiciary and police. Additionally, protesters are reacting to recent government actions affecting media and cultural independence.

The European Commission has taken formal action following long-standing warnings regarding systemic problems and suspected fraud in the distribution of EU funds within Slovakia. This move aims to address governance issues and ensure the integrity of European financial resources. The investigation could lead to significant changes in how regional funds are managed.