Slovakia’s foreign policy is undergoing a seismic shift that threatens its longstanding alliances with NATO and the European Union. Under Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has dismissed 46 experienced diplomats, replacing them with 150 new hires—many reportedly educated in Russia—under the guise of budget cuts. Former diplomats Milan Šuplata and Ivan Novotný have exposed what appears to be a politically motivated purge aimed at reshaping the ministry’s ideological direction. This transformation has coincided with secretive meetings between Blanár and Russia’s Sergey Lavrov, as well as a controversial encounter between Prime Minister Robert Fico and Vladimir Putin, where the diplomatic format itself signalled subordination. The consequences are already visible: Slovakia’s diplomatic isolation is deepening, its influence in key European security discussions is diminishing, and internal discontent within the foreign ministry is growing. The nation’s traditional role as a committed EU and NATO partner now hangs in the balance, as the government’s actions raise fears of a strategic realignment that could undermine both its international standing and its national security.
The interview with former Slovak diplomat Milan Šuplata sheds light on the significant upheaval within the Slovak Ministry of Foreign Affairs following the appointment of Juraj Blanár. Šuplata, who was among the fifty senior diplomats dismissed by Blanár, outlines a shift in both the structure and direction of Slovakia’s foreign policy, driven by political motivations and a potential departure from long-standing alliances with Western institutions.
This interview with Milan Šuplata is not the first instance where the inner workings of the Slovak Ministry of Foreign Affairs under Juraj Blanár have been brought to light. A previous revelation came from former diplomat Ivan Novotný, who exposed a pattern of dismissals targeting experienced diplomats, the recruitment of Russian-educated personnel, and secretive meetings with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Novotný’s account suggested a deliberate ideological shift within the ministry, raising serious concerns about Slovakia’s alignment with EU values and its geopolitical future.
Blanár’s rise to the ministerial post brought with it high expectations, particularly given his political standing within the Smer party and his influence in the coalition government. However, Šuplata argues that those hopes were quickly dashed. While political appointments at the ministerial level are common, Blanár’s lack of foreign policy expertise, coupled with a failure to surround himself with seasoned diplomatic advisers, has weakened the institutional knowledge base of the ministry. The most striking example of this shift is the dismissal of 46 experienced diplomats under the guise of cost-cutting, even as 150 new hires—many reportedly lacking foreign policy credentials—were brought in. This pattern, Šuplata suggests, is less about financial efficiency and more about consolidating political control within the ministry.
The result is a diplomatic apparatus marked by diminished trust between leadership and career diplomats, a breakdown in communication channels, and a notable absence of clear foreign policy guidance. According to Šuplata, the traditional close cooperation between ministers and ambassadors has eroded, with many diplomats left without essential instructions on Slovakia’s official positions. This lack of strategic clarity has weakened Slovakia’s representation abroad, leaving diplomats uncertain of how to navigate complex international discussions.
Fico’s Moscow Visit and the Subtle Signals of Subordination
The gravity of these changes becomes more apparent in the context of Prime Minister Robert Fico’s recent visit to Moscow. Šuplata highlights the diplomatic implications of the meeting’s unusual format—Fico met Vladimir Putin in a one-to-three setting, an imbalance that, in diplomatic circles, can be interpreted as a sign of subordination. The absence of senior Slovak officials during the meeting, coupled with the lack of transparency surrounding its purpose, suggests a troubling deviation from standard diplomatic practice. Šuplata contends that this signals a broader willingness by the Slovak government to realign its foreign policy, moving closer to Russia while stepping back from traditional alliances with NATO and the European Union.
This shift has left Slovakia increasingly isolated on the international stage. The country’s absence from the so-called “coalition of the willing”—a group of states supporting stronger defence commitments in Europe—illustrates its declining influence in critical security discussions. Blanár’s dismissal of the coalition’s existence, despite clear evidence of coordinated diplomatic activity, further underscores Slovakia’s withdrawal from meaningful engagement with its Western partners.
Internal discontent within the ministry mirrors these external developments. Šuplata describes a growing sense of frustration, fear, and resignation among career diplomats, many of whom feel disconnected from the ministry’s evolving priorities. The hiring of individuals with alleged ties to Russian educational institutions has only deepened these concerns, raising questions about potential foreign influence within Slovakia’s diplomatic corps.
The consequences of these shifts extend beyond institutional morale. According to Šuplata, the erosion of diplomatic expertise and the breakdown in communication undermine Slovakia’s ability to respond effectively to international crises, including the war in Ukraine. The absence of clear policy directives leaves diplomats ill-equipped to represent national interests or maintain the country’s standing within NATO and the EU.
At a time when the regional security landscape is increasingly fragile, Slovakia’s diplomatic isolation could carry serious long-term consequences. By sidelining experienced diplomats and distancing the country from its allies, the current leadership risks weakening both Slovakia’s international influence and its ability to safeguard national security. As Šuplata’s testimony makes clear, the stakes extend beyond political appointments—they strike at the very foundation of Slovakia’s role in the international community.
Source: Jaroslav Barborák | Aktuality.sk
