Andrej Danko, Slovak MP and leader of the pro-Kremlin Slovak National Party (SNS), is set to revisit Moscow in January 2024, continuing his long-standing allegiance to Kremlin interests. Previously, as chair of the Slovak National Assembly, Danko attended a Russian military parade, shook hands with Vladimir Putin, Sergei Lavrov, Dmitry Medvedev Vyacheslav Volodin and other top officials, and publicly praised Russia for “liberating Slovakia.” His staunch pro-Kremlin stance has included issuing an ultimatum to his government after the Vrbětice affair, threatening to collapse the coalition if Russian intelligence operatives implicated in the Czech ammunition depot explosion were expelled. Critics now accuse Danko of prioritising Moscow’s agenda over Slovakia’s national and European interests, undermining EU unity and enabling Russian aggression amid the war in Ukraine.
Danko, who previously served as chair of the Slovak National Assembly, is now an MP representing the Slovak National Party (SNS) in the FIATO coalition government. Known for his pro-Russian stance, Danko has repeatedly championed Kremlin narratives and foreign policy objectives. His close ties to Moscow were spotlighted during his last visit as National Assembly chair, when he attended Russia’s Victory Day military parade and met high-ranking officials, including President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. His public praise for Russia’s leadership and statements thanking Putin for “liberating Slovakia” provoked sharp criticism as they appeared to echo Kremlin propaganda.
Danko’s support for Moscow has extended beyond rhetoric. During his tenure as National Assembly chair, he allegedly issued an ultimatum to the Slovak government: he would collapse the coalition unless it refrained from expelling Russian diplomats following the Vrbětice affair. This incident involved Russian operatives being linked to a deadly explosion at a Czech ammunition depot, which led several European nations to take retaliatory actions against Russian intelligence operatives.Danko’s ultimatum to prioritise relations with Russia over Slovakia’s solidarity with European allies during the Vrbětice affair highlighted his unwavering commitment to Kremlin interests, even at the expense of Slovakia’s national interests.
Now, as a member of a diminished political party, Danko is set to visit Moscow again, underscoring his enduring loyalty to the Kremlin. Critics warn that this move signals tacit approval of Russia’s aggression and undermines European unity at a time when solidarity against Moscow’s war in Ukraine is paramount.
Normalising Aggression and Undermining EU Solidarity
Danko’s upcoming visit to Moscow, set for January 2024, involves meetings with officials sanctioned by the European Union, including Vyacheslav Volodin and Sergei Lavrov. These figures have played key roles in justifying and facilitating Russia’s military actions and territorial annexations in Ukraine. Danko’s sustained engagement with them raises concerns about Slovakia’s commitment to EU policies aimed at isolating Russia’s state apparatus responsible for the war.
Prominent Slovak political scientist Grigorij Mesežnikov highlights that such visits serve to normalise Russia’s actions and undermine international efforts to hold its leadership accountable for war crimes and aggression. Danko’s rhetoric, often critical of Western stances on Russia, feeds into narratives that blur the line between diplomatic engagement and tacit approval of Moscow’s policies.
Danko’s interactions with Kremlin elites and public praise for their leadership further complicate Slovakia’s position within the European Union, particularly as member states seek unity in confronting Russian aggression. These actions not only signal a divergence from EU strategic priorities but also raise questions about Slovakia’s democratic alignment in a period of heightened geopolitical uncertainty.
