Latest news with #DenníkN
Euractiv
28-07-2025
- Politics
- Euractiv
Patriotism or PR? Slovakia's new military training draws mixed reactions
Slovakia has wrapped up the first round of its new voluntary military training course, but as defence experts praise the drills, critics accusing politicians like President Peter Pellegrini of turning it into a PR stunt. Launched in July, the new 14-day National Defence Forces (NDF) programme is part of Slovakia's effort to rebuild its long-neglected military reserves. Open to participants aged 18–55, the programme offers participants €1,500 and potential paths to further training or emergency response roles. To promote the scheme, Pellegrini and Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák joined the first round on 10 July. But images of the pair in camouflage and combat poses quickly drew ridicule online. Far-right coalition leader Andrej Danko mocked Pellegrini and urged him to 'stop clowning around and go home already.' Despite the optics, defence experts support the programme. "Although it looks more like a celebrity show than real, meaningful military training right now, it's good that it brought attention to the issue of military reserves," retired general Pavel Macko told Denník N , noting that Slovakia currently has just 100-150 active reservists – well short of the needed 'tens of thousands'. Lucia Yar, Slovak defence expert and MEP for the liberal Renew group, welcomed the programme, pointing out that Slovakia was one of the last NATO countries on the eastern flank without a voluntary training scheme. Still, she criticised the participation of government officials who had previously undermined defence initiatives , describing it as the programme's most serious flaw. Pacifists turned soldiers? Pellegrini and Kaliňák both avoided mandatory military service before it was abolished in 2006 and have long held reputations as pacifists. During the 2024 election, Pellegrini styled himself as a 'president of peace,' and sought to portray his liberal rival Ivan Korčok as a warmonger who would send Slovak troops to Ukraine. For his part, Kaliňák has previously argued that resistance to invasion is futile, referencing the 1968 Soviet occupation. 'If our parents had resisted, many of us wouldn't be here today,' he said, adding that 'the Russians always leave eventually.' Even Richard Glück, chair of the parliamentary defence committee and fellow training participant, once signed a declaration refusing to defend Slovakia with a weapon in hand. 'Unfortunate and counterproductive' Yar and others also questioned whether it was appropriate for top officials to train alongside regular recruits. "Government politicians – who either helped create the programme or are now taking part in it – are damaging its reputation and discouraging potential applicants. It's unfortunate and counterproductive," Yar told Euractiv Slovakia . Other experts also questioned the decision to have the defence minister and president train alongside regular recruits, noting that one oversees the armed forces and the other serves as their commander-in-chief. Meanwhile, the course itself has also come under fire for being too short to offer serious preparation. Follow-up opportunities also remain unclear, with the defence ministry yet to announce a timeline or locations for the next rounds, Yar noted. (de)
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Slovak PM's party says he still plans to attend Putin's Victory Day parade
Ján Richter, an MP from the Smer ruling party in Slovakia, has stated that Prime Minister Robert Fico is still planning to travel to the Russian capital, Moscow, for the 9 May Victory Day parade. [Victory Day is a Russian holiday commemorating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in 1945, celebrated on 9 May – ed.]. Source: Slovak news outlet Denník N, citing Richter, as reported by European Pravda Details: Richter's statement comes amid rumours about Fico's health after the prime minister cancelled his 1 May schedule. While the reason for the cancellation has not been disclosed, Richter insisted that Fico remains in good physical and psychological condition. Quote from Richter: "Perhaps it has something to do with the approach of 15 May [Fico survived an assassination attempt on 15 May last year – ed.], perhaps there is a psychological problem, he's beginning to realise that anything could have happened." Details: He confirmed that Fico's trip to Moscow on 9 May remains on track. Fico will be the only Slovak politician to attend the celebrations in Moscow, according to the chairman of the Smer parliamentary faction. Background: Meanwhile, it has been reported that Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has been forced to cut short his visit to the United States due to a health concern. Earlier, Vučić said he would travel to Moscow on 9 May, as he had given his word to Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin. On 14 April, Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, called on European leaders not to participate in military celebrations in Moscow on 9 May but instead to demonstrate solidarity with Ukraine. The European Union has also given a clear instruction to EU candidate states not to attend the 9 May parade in Moscow and not to visit Russia. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Slovakia bans Georgian Legion commander, linking him to alleged coup plot
Slovakia has banned Georgian Legion commander Mamuka Mamulashvili from entering the country after the government linked his unit to an alleged coup plot, Denník N reported on Jan. 31. The volunteers-based Georgian Legion, which has been fighting in Ukraine since 2014, was founded by Mamulashvili to combat Russian forces. Slovak Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj-Eštok said a total of 10 people were on the list of individuals barred from entering Slovakia. During a press conference, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico did not explain how Mamulashvili could have organized protests in Slovakia or been behind the alleged coup plot. The demonstrations, held under the slogan "Slovakia is Europe," swept across 30 cities on Jan. 24, with around 100,000 people nationwide chanting slogans like "Enough of Fico" and "We are Europe" in opposition to his policies and pro-Russian stance. The protests were also fueled by Fico's visit to Moscow in late December, where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin — one of the few European Union leaders to do so since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Fico cited a photo of Mamulashvili with Lucy Štasselová from the Peace for Ukraine initiative and Denník N commentator Martin Šimečka, both of whom supported the Georgian Legion, as evidence for his claim. The Georgian Legion dismissed the Slovak government's accusations as "absurd and groundless." "These statements are nothing more than a deliberate attempt to discredit our unit, which has been fighting alongside Ukraine against Russian aggression since 2014," Mamulashvili said. A similar accusation previously emerged in Georgia, where the State Security Service (SSG) alleged that the Georgian Legion, a former bodyguard of ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili, and Giorgi Lortkipanidze—allegedly a deputy head of Ukraine's military intelligence—were involved in a plot against the ruling pro-Russian Georgian Dream party. "Now, the Slovak authorities have decided to follow the same Russian game, recycling the same lies to serve their own political agenda," Mamulashvili added. The news came a day after reports that the police in Slovakia detained a Ukrainian citizen on Jan. 30 suspected of preparing a coup in the country. Relations between Kyiv and Bratislava have become increasingly tense this month. Fico, who has long opposed military aid to Ukraine, has escalated threats against Kyiv following the termination of Russian gas transit via Ukrainian territory on Jan. 1. Read also: Zelensky backs Slovak protests as Fico criticizes opposition, organizers We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Slovakia bans entry for Georgian Legion commander, citing alleged coup plans
Slovakia has banned entry for Mamuka Mamulashvili, commander of the Georgian Legion fighting in Ukraine, after the government linked his unit to an alleged coup attempt in the country. The Georgian Legion has denied the Slovak authorities' accusations. Source: European Pravda, citing Dennik N, a Slovak media outlet Details: Slovak Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok stated that 10 individuals have been added to a list of persons banned from entering Slovakia, with the possibility of more names being added. Prime Minister Robert Fico did not answer a journalist's question regarding how the commander of a Georgian Legion, who fights in Ukraine against Russia, could have organised protests in Slovakia. Instead, he accused the media outlet of supporting his government's downfall. During a press conference, Fico showcased a photo of Mamulashvili with Slovak civil activist Lucia Štasselová from the Peace for Ukraine initiative and Denník N commentator Martin M. Šimečka. Štasselová met Mamulashvili at a discussion about his book nearly two years ago during his visit to Slovakia. Šimečka, along with other Denník N journalists, participated in a humanitarian mission that delivered ambulances and aid to Mamulashvili's unit, donated by Slovak citizens. Pavol Gašpar, director of the Slovak Intelligence Service (SIS), stated that the agency has confirmed personal and economic connections between the Georgian Legion and Slovak opposition and civil organisations. However, Gašpar did not provide specific details about these alleged ties. Gašpar also announced the formation of a specialised group that includes undercover operatives, police officers and members of the financial administration. "We can already talk about suspicions of crimes such as subsidy fraud," Gašpar said. The Georgian Legion has rejected the "groundless and absurd accusations by the Slovak authorities, which allege our involvement in an attempted coup against Prime Minister Robert Fico". "These statements are nothing more than a deliberate attempt to discredit our unit, which has been fighting alongside Ukraine against Russian aggression since 2014. This is not the first time we have been targeted by politically motivated disinformation," the Legion stated on Facebook. Background: It was reported earlier that Slovakia plans to expel a Ukrainian citizen following a secret SIS report on an alleged coup attempt. The classified report, presented last week, claims there is an organised long-term operation aimed at destabilising Slovakia. Amid ongoing mass protests against his government, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has alleged that Ukraine is involved in these events and has warned of a potential "Maidan scenario" in his country. Support UP or become our patron!
