Good evening. Here is the Monday, August 18 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in a few minutes.
Fico praises summit, opposition voices concern
Prime Minister Robert Fico, Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák (left) and Smer MP Tibor Gašpar. (source: Jozef Jakubčo)
Just as expected, the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday proved divisive among Slovak politicians.
Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer) welcomed what he called the “standardisation of relations” between the two countries, saying they had launched a vital process that he described as “a major trap for the European Union”.
“The coming days will show whether the leading players in the EU will support this process and bring the Ukrainian conflict to a swift conclusion, or whether the failed European strategy of trying to weaken Russia through financial, political or military aid will continue,” he said, as quoted by the TASR newswire. He added that the course of the summit was fully in line with Slovakia’s sovereign foreign policy.
He also echoed Putin’s words about the “historical roots of the war”.
Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák (Smer) suggested that if Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky agrees to key questions during his forthcoming meeting with Trump, the US may mediate a trilateral dialogue.
Meanwhile, opposition party Progressive Slovakia (PS) criticised Fico’s stance, calling it a betrayal of Slovakia’s interests.
“You saw the reaction of our government. Fico and Kaliňák openly sided with Russia, saying that Russia should be granted security guarantees and that there is a need to discuss what Putin calls the elimination of the root causes of the conflict. In Russian diplomatic language, this means a return to the pre-1997 state of affairs. Slovakia was not in NATO then and had no allied ties,” said PS leader and MP Michal Šimečka.
PS leadership member Ivan Korčok argued that Putin still seeks war and a fundamental change in Europe’s security arrangements.
MP Veronika Remišová (Slovensko, Za Ľudí, KU) remarked that Trump offered “nothing but compliments to the war criminal Putin” during the summit.
President Peter Pellegrini found it most important that the meeting opened a path to further negotiations, including those with Ukraine’s direct participation.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE
LAST WEEK: Fico praises what he calls the “standardisation of relations” with Russia. His post-Alaska summit comments are in line with his affinity for authoritarian strongmen.
BOOKS: Richard Simonics once pedalled Hungarian newspapers across southern Slovakia. With his brother, he built Foni Book into a leading publisher.
SURNAMES: Lawmakers from the governing coalition have proposed a bill to amend the Act on Names and Surnames, arguing that current rules create “unequal treatment” between Slovak citizens and foreign nationals when deciding a child’s surname.
OPINION: Progressive Slovakia expert blasts the government for ignoring Slovak Post for so long and instead of real change, only “TikTok-like solutions” are given.
TRAVEL: An educational trail in central Slovakia blends playful installations, traditional design and the quiet rhythms of the Low Tatras.
TRAGEDY: Pair of Indian nationals lost their lives after getting into difficulties in the river Váh on Saturday evening.
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FEATURE STORY
The struggle to tackle homelessness in Slovakia
Pavol Sabela, a social worker of 20 years and the statutary representative of Stopa Slovensko. (source: SME - Marko Erd)
The association Stopa Slovensko, which works on the integration of homeless people, does things differently – not only compared to the rest of Slovakia, but even globally. Its project Crossroad was ranked second by UN evaluators out of more than 150 projects from 55 countries.
“We should push for more than just creating a functional mechanism for homelessness. Society will respond much better when it sees how NGOs actually end homelessness and when their clients eventually pay taxes too,” says Pavol Sabela, the statutory representative of the NGO, in an interview.
EVENT FOR THE WEEKEND
Grand Prix of Slovakia
A race on the Slovakia Ring circuit. (source: TASR)
One of the most important racing events in Slovakia returns for its 16th edition. On August 23–24, the Slovakia Ring racing track near Orechová Potôň, the Dunajská Streda district, will host the OMV MaxxMotion Grand Prix of Slovakia, featuring various series and categories, including the hugely popular GT3, with cars such as the Ferrari 458 GT3, Porsche 911 GT3 and Lamborghini Super Trofeo, each with its own distinct engine sound. Spectators will also be able to see new prototypes. Find out more here.
IN OTHER NEWS
As representatives of employers and employees failed to agree on next year’s minimum wage, it will be determined automatically by the Labour Ministry. Next year, it will rise by almost €100 to €915 per month. According to estimates, the minimum wage should reach €960 per month in 2027 and €1,020 in 2028. (TASR)
Slovak firefighters will assist in extinguishing wildfires in Spain using a Black Hawk helicopter, following an official request from the European Emergency Response Coordination Centre for Slovakia to deploy them. They were recently dispatched with the helicopter to Albania. The helicopter is expected to arrive in Spain shortly after midday on Tuesday. (TASR)
From Monday morning and until further notice, a ban on open fires – including on official firepits, as well as the burning of bushes and trees, and smoking – is in effect in the forests of Bratislava. According to the Bratislava Fire and Rescue Brigade, there is an increased risk of fires. (Mestké Lesy via Facebook)
Bratislava’s public transport company DPB has warned of fraudulent Facebook pages offering pre-paid tickets at suspiciously low prices. “If you come across such a page, do not click on any links,” DPB advised, adding that people should not provide any personal details as the aim is to steal money. Instead, it is recommended that such pages be reported. (DPB via Facebook)
The US U18 ice hockey team won the Hlinka Gretzky Cup 2025, defeating Sweden 4-3 in Saturday’s final in Trenčín. Canada, who had won the previous three editions, finished third after beating Finland 3-0. Slovakia placed sixth. This is the second time the US has won the tournament, the first being in 2003. (Sportnet)
According to Children’s Commissioner Jozef Mikloško, there are a large number of underage Ukrainian students in Slovakia without parental care, estimated at 5,000, with around 1,000 of them lacking any legal representative. In practice, these children are often represented by a single individual, with one person responsible for several dozen children. Although their parents are alive, they often cannot travel to Slovakia. As a result, these minors cannot, among other things, visit a GP, and face difficulties finding part-time work, accommodation or other basic support. (TASR)
WEATHER FOR TUESDAY: Partly cloudy to sunny skies are expected, with daily temperatures rising to between 25 °C and 30 °C, or around 23 °C in the northern regions. (SHMÚ)
AUGUST 19 NAME DAY IN SLOVAKIA: All the best to Lýdias, who celebrate tomorrow. Všetko najlepšie!
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