War in Ukraine would change Slovakia, too

The country would brace itself to welcome people running across the eastern border.

Vyšné Nemecké-Uzhhorod border crossing between Slovakia and Ukraine.Vyšné Nemecké-Uzhhorod border crossing between Slovakia and Ukraine. (Source: TASR)

Thousands of scared Ukrainians crossing Slovakia's eastern border. They pass the reinforced border check without complications, all they need to show is their ID card.

They are not headed to a camp, they will find refuge with their relatives and friends who have lived in Slovakia for a long time now.

SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement
SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement

The government will announce a national emergency and call up reserve soldiers. Meanwhile, a NATO mission arrives to military bases. Hundreds of troops from various countries will arrive for more of a symbolic mission. If the military conflict spills across the border, allies are ready to protect Slovakia.

SkryťTurn off ads

The economy minister cooperated with his Czech and Hungarian counterparts to negotiate extraordinary gas supplies in the event Russia lives up to its threats and halts the gas flow through Ukraine.

The foreign affairs minister is preparing to expel Russian diplomats. Other EU states are doing the same.

This is one of several possible scenarios Slovakia might experience if the conflict between Ukraine and Russia escalates into an all-out war.

A war between two countries in the immediate neighbourhood would be a new experience for Slovakia in its recent history. Many things remain unpredictable, but we can roughly estimate the challenges Slovakia would need to face.

Will foreign troops enter?

The rest of this article is premium content at Spectator.sk
Subscribe now for full access

I already have subscription - Sign in

Subscription provides you with:
  • Immediate access to all locked articles (premium content) on Spectator.sk
  • Special weekly news summary + an audio recording with a weekly news summary to listen to at your convenience (received on a weekly basis directly to your e-mail)
  • PDF version of the latest issue of our newspaper, The Slovak Spectator, emailed directly to you
  • Access to all premium content on Sme.sk and Korzar.sk

Top stories

Stock image.

Twice as many Ukrainians work in Slovakia now than before the Russian invasion.


Píšem or pišám?

"Do ľava," (to the left) I yelled, "Nie, do prava" (no, to the right), I gasped. "Dolšie," I screamed. "Nie, nie, horšie..." My Slovak girlfriend collapsed in laughter. Was it something I said?


Matthew J. Reynolds
Czech biochemist Jan Konvalinka.

Jan Konvalinka was expecting a pandemic before Covid-19 came along.


SkryťClose ad