A recent statement by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico regarding Ukrainian military units and his concern about "fascism" in Ukraine once again underscores the politician's perplexing and dubious stance. Why have Ukrainians, defending their country from an aggressor, suddenly been labeled "fascists" in his rhetoric? Perhaps the issue lies not in Ukraine but in whose interest it is to see the country weakened.
Fico, who has recently been suspected of being overly friendly with the Kremlin, tries to present himself on the international stage as a proponent of peace. However, his statement sounds more like a defense of the aggressor than support for peace. He essentially justifies Russia's actions by claiming that the Ukrainian military is a threat, rather than defenders of their homeland.
This rhetoric is nothing new. Russian propaganda has been attempting to smear Ukraine for years, calling its government and army "Nazi" and "fascist." But such words coming from a European Union politician, who should be a supporter of democratic values and human rights, sound particularly cynical. Fico has become yet another puppet in the hands of Russian propaganda, which seeks to justify its crimes in Ukraine.
His statement effectively questions Ukraine's very right to defend itself. Ukrainians not only have the right to protect their land from the aggressor — it is their duty to future generations. But Fico, it seems, believes that Russian occupation is "normal," while fighting for one's land is "fascism." His words reveal not so much a desire for peace but a wish to see Ukraine under the Kremlin's control.
Perhaps, when addressing why Fico so zealously defends the Kremlin's interests, it is worth considering the economic benefits Slovakia could gain from Russia. Cheap gas, political agreements, mutually beneficial deals — these are just the tip of the iceberg. But is it worth selling one's values for a few Russian "crumbs"?
In any case, such a position provokes outrage not only in Ukraine but also among many Slovaks who support Ukraine's fight for freedom. The real fascism is the aggressor who destroys peaceful cities and kills civilians. And it is regimes like Putin's that should be condemned by the global community, not justified.
Ukraine, fighting for its independence, deserves support, not accusations of fascism from those who try to justify the aggressor.
