A coalition of Slovak public figures and the initiative Mier Ukrajine—the same organisers behind mass anti-Fico and pro-European protests—have issued an open letter demanding that Prime Minister Robert Fico honour his government’s commitments to European security and Ukraine’s sovereignty. The signatories call for Slovakia to align with EU nations pushing for stronger defence autonomy, increase military spending to 3% of GDP by 2027, and immediately distance itself from Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák’s controversial claim that Slovakia’s best defence is “not defending itself.” The appeal comes amid ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine and concerns over weakening US security guarantees.
Appeals for Security and Defence Commitments
The letter underscores key commitments from the government’s manifesto, including Slovakia’s stance on EU decision-making and Ukraine:
1. The government pledged to advocate for unanimity in crucial EU decisions, which it considers a mark of sovereign EU membership.
2. It committed to supporting solutions to the Ukraine war based on international law, including Ukraine’s territorial integrity and right to self-defence.
3. It vowed to back international peace efforts that contribute to European stability and security.
In light of these commitments, the signatories call on Fico to:
1. Strengthen Slovakia’s defence posture by endorsing a robust European security framework.
2. Commit to increasing defence spending to at least 3% of GDP by 2027.
3. Distance himself from statements by Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák, who recently suggested that “not defending oneself” is the best defence, implying that Slovakia should passively wait for external threats to subside.
The Wider Context
The appeal comes at a critical time, amid ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine and shifting geopolitical realities in Washington and Munich. The signatories argue that Europe—and Slovakia, at its core—must reassess its security stance in light of weakening US defence commitments.
By urging Fico to align Slovakia with a proactive European defence strategy, the signatories signal their concern over the country’s strategic direction under his leadership. They stress that Slovakia’s future security depends on standing firmly with other European democracies in defence of Ukraine and broader European stability.
Dear Prime Minister,
Against the backdrop of three years of ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine and the recent events in Washington and Munich, it is beyond any doubt that we are undergoing a fundamental transformation of the global order, which profoundly affects both Europe and Slovakia.
This concerns our security, sovereignty, and future as a truly democratic, prosperous, and independent country. Without the support of the United States in the field of defence, Europe—and with it, Slovakia at its heart—must fundamentally reassess its approach to its own security in the face of threats and challenges that, should we fail, will permanently alter the face of our continent.
Dear Prime Minister,
we therefore call upon you to unequivocally support the coalition of countries advocating for greater security autonomy for Europe at the upcoming extraordinary meeting of the European Council, where EU leaders will discuss continued support for Ukraine and European defence.
At the same time, we urge you to adhere to your own Government Manifesto, in which, among other things, you committed to:
1. Fighting “for unanimity in the adoption of fundamental decisions by majority voting, which it considers a hallmark of sovereign membership in the European Union,”
2. Supporting solutions to the conflict in Ukraine “based on the principles of international law, including the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders, as well as its natural right to self-defence,”
3. Supporting “initiatives by international community leaders leading to a ceasefire and peace initiatives, primarily within the framework of the European Union, in a way that also contributes to strengthening pan-European stability and security.”
Based on these commitments, we call upon you to:
1. Pledge allegiance to a strong Europe and the strengthening of Slovakia’s defence capabilities,
2. Immediately and credibly commit, on behalf of the Slovak Republic, to the key goal of increasing the defence budget to at least 3% of GDP by 2027,
3. Immediately distance yourself from the statements made by Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák, who, through his remarks, negates the very purpose of the Ministry of Defence, which he represents, by claiming that the best defence is not to defend oneself and to hope that “the Russians will leave one day.”
Dear Prime Minister,
we call upon you to ensure that the Slovak Republic stands alongside strong and determined European democracies—in the name of a just peace in Ukraine and a strong, collective European defence. Our determination to defend Ukraine and ourselves is the only guarantee of a future in which decisions about us will not be made without us.
Signatories
Marian Kulich, Mier Ukrajine
Lucia Štasselová, Mier Ukrajine
Rastislav Kalnovič, Mier Ukrajine
Viera Dubačová, Mier Ukrajine
Zuzana Izsáková, Mier Ukrajine
Lucia Rosáková, Mier Ukrajine
Katarína Cíbiková, Mier Ukrajine
David Selyem, Mier Ukrajine
Juraj Kvak, Mier Ukrajine
Sergio Danilov
Fedor Blaščák
Dagmar Kusá
Filip Vagač
Zuzana Kronerova
Karolína Miková
Victor Breiner
Egon Gál
Zuzana Suchová
František Mikloško
Jozef Hašto
Rudolf Sikora
Miroslav Pollák
Jan Strasser
Zuzana Denková
Peter Zajac
Viktor Nižňanský
Darina Kárová
Michal Hvorecký
Peter Neuwirth
Oľga Gyárfášová
Juraj Rizman
Oliver Andrásy
Lucia Szabová
Soňa Szomolányi
Juraj Nvota
Dušan Trančík
Richard Krivda
František Šebej
Martin Bútora
Jana Juranova
Juraj Buzalka
Juraj Stern
Ivan Mikloš
