Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár’s repeated meetings with Russia’s Sergey Lavrov—more frequent than with any other foreign minister—highlight a troubling shift in Slovakia’s diplomatic priorities. While the Ministry of Foreign Affairs frames these discussions as pragmatic, their opaque nature, paired with Slovakia’s refusal to support Ukraine militarily, places the country at odds with NATO and EU allies. Adding to these concerns are sweeping changes within Slovakia’s diplomatic corps, where experienced pro-Western diplomats have been replaced with recruits tied to Russian institutions, raising alarms about infiltration and long-term vulnerabilities. At a time when most of Europe isolates Moscow for its aggression in Ukraine, Slovakia’s increasingly distinct approach risks emboldening Russian influence, compromising national security, and eroding its credibility within Western alliances.
For the third time in his tenure, Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, this time on the sidelines of the OSCE summit in Malta. Blanár has engaged with no other foreign minister as frequently, underscoring a distinct focus on Russia during his short time in office. The Slovak Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed the discussions focused on energy issues, including oil and gas transit. However, the opaque nature of these interactions warrants scrutiny, as neither side provided verifiable details of the meeting’s outcomes.
Blanár also reportedly reaffirmed Slovakia’s condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and called for adherence to international law. Yet, such proclamations contrast with his repeated willingness to engage with Lavrov, a move that many Western allies view as contradictory to Slovakia’s commitments to NATO and EU principles. The lack of transparency surrounding these discussions risks legitimising Moscow’s standing, offering Russia a platform to counter its growing isolation.
Blanár’s actions come amidst Slovakia’s increasingly divergent stance within NATO. Recently, at the NATO-Ukraine Council, he reiterated Slovakia’s refusal to supply arms to Kyiv, contradicting the alliance’s consensus on bolstering Ukraine’s defence capabilities. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has consistently called for unified support, including enhanced military aid to Ukraine, making Slovakia’s position a notable outlier within the bloc.
From Allies to Intel Assets: Who Shapes Slovakia’s Foreign Policy Now?
Blanár’s tenure has also been marked by significant restructuring within Slovakia’s diplomatic service. Under the guise of austerity, experienced pro-Western diplomats were replaced by 146 new hires, many of whom were educated in Russia at institutions such as the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) and St. Petersburg University. This wave of appointments has raised alarm among observers, who warn that it could compromise the integrity of Slovakia’s foreign service by enabling the infiltration of Russian influence.
Such developments are not merely an ideological shift; they represent a structural vulnerability. A future democratic government seeking to realign Slovakia with EU and NATO values may find it challenging, if not impossible, to undo this level of penetration within state institutions. This reshaping of Slovakia’s diplomatic corps appears designed to entrench foreign influence, undermining national and regional security.
Adding to these concerns, Slovakia’s unique engagement with Moscow has positioned it as an outlier within the EU. Blanár’s meeting with Lavrov follows similar engagements by Hungarian officials but contrasts sharply with the broader EU stance. Prime Minister Robert Fico has announced plans to visit Russia in January, while Parliamentary Vice-President Andrej Danko is leading a delegation in May. These moves, unprecedented among EU states since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, risk weakening the bloc’s collective resolve against Moscow’s aggression.
At the same OSCE summit in Malta, Lavrov faced widespread condemnation. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibyha labelled Lavrov a “war criminal,” and representatives from Ukraine, Poland, and Baltic states staged a walkout during Lavrov’s speech. These actions underscored the Kremlin’s diplomatic isolation, making Slovakia’s willingness to engage all the more controversial.
Blanár’s actions and the broader shifts within Slovakia’s diplomatic corps highlight a troubling departure from the country’s historical alignment with NATO and EU values. The long-term implications of these policies could significantly impact both Slovakia’s security and its credibility within Western alliances.
