The winner of Slovakia's general election said on Sunday his country has "bigger problems" than the war in Ukraine, after a result that could disrupt the EU's united front against Russia.
Robert Fico, who pledged during the campaign to end Slovakia's military aid to Kyiv, said he would do everything possible to open peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.
Mr Fico's left-wing populist Smer party topped the poll with 23 per cent of the vote, defying an initial exit poll that projected a win for the pro-western Progressive Slovakia.
The result sets the stage for coalition talks in which Mr Fico – who served two previous terms as prime minister from 2006 to 2010 and 2012 to 2018 – is expected to be given the first chance to form a government.
His victory was celebrated by Hungary's nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has been the EU's most prominent dissenting voice on Ukraine.
Mr Orban congratulated Mr Fico on his "undisputable victory" in Slovakia and said it was "always good to work together with a patriot". Both countries border Ukraine and are members of Nato and the EU.
The beaten Progressive Slovakia, which took 18 per cent of the vote, said it would still try to form a coalition from the runner-up spot. But third-placed kingmaker HLAS has said it leans closer to Mr Fico's party on policy.
Mr Fico, 59, is seeking a return to power after resigning in 2018 when the murder of an investigative journalist sparked mass protests against corruption.
Peace talks
He campaigned on boosting social spending and challenging EU policy on issues including migration, climate change and security. He said Slovakia would not send Ukraine a "single round of ammunition".
"Slovakia and the people in Slovakia have bigger problems than Ukraine," he told a press conference on Sunday. He called for peace talks because "further killing will not help anyone".
Mr Fico has preciously echoed Kremlin talking points on the war by speaking of Russian citizens being attacked by "Nazis and fascists" and blaming Ukrainian forces for starting the conflict.
A return to power for Mr Fico could make it harder for the EU, which requires the consent of all 27 members to make key foreign policy decisions such as sanctions on Russia, to hold to a united line.
EU leaders have had to water down previous sanctions packages to get Mr Orban on board. Hungary is unusual among the bloc's members in opposing weapons aid to Ukraine.
Slovakia, which has been led by a caretaker government since former prime minister Eduard Heger was forced out by government infighting, has provided Ukraine with Soviet-era fighter jets and other equipment.
Ukraine has made gradual progress in a counter-offensive equipped with western tanks but there have been signs of fatigue among Kyiv's allies. Poland's nationalist government, which is up for re-election this month, has stopped arms deliveries amid a dispute with Ukraine over grain sales.
Diplomats are meanwhile grappling with the possibility that Donald Trump, who has questioned US aid to Ukraine and expressed Russia-friendly sentiments, could win back the White House in 2024.
President Joe Biden's Democrats accepted a spending deal with Republicans on Saturday that removed new assistance for Ukraine in exchange for averting a government shutdown. Any further aid will have to be negotiated separately.
Common OCD symptoms and how they manifest
Checking: the obsession or thoughts focus on some harm coming from things not being as they should, which usually centre around the theme of safety. For example, the obsession is “the building will burn down”, therefore the compulsion is checking that the oven is switched off.
Contamination: the obsession is focused on the presence of germs, dirt or harmful bacteria and how this will impact the person and/or their loved ones. For example, the obsession is “the floor is dirty; me and my family will get sick and die”, the compulsion is repetitive cleaning.
Orderliness: the obsession is a fear of sitting with uncomfortable feelings, or to prevent harm coming to oneself or others. Objectively there appears to be no logical link between the obsession and compulsion. For example,” I won’t feel right if the jars aren’t lined up” or “harm will come to my family if I don’t line up all the jars”, so the compulsion is therefore lining up the jars.
Intrusive thoughts: the intrusive thought is usually highly distressing and repetitive. Common examples may include thoughts of perpetrating violence towards others, harming others, or questions over one’s character or deeds, usually in conflict with the person’s true values. An example would be: “I think I might hurt my family”, which in turn leads to the compulsion of avoiding social gatherings.
Hoarding: the intrusive thought is the overvaluing of objects or possessions, while the compulsion is stashing or hoarding these items and refusing to let them go. For example, “this newspaper may come in useful one day”, therefore, the compulsion is hoarding newspapers instead of discarding them the next day.
Source: Dr Robert Chandler, clinical psychologist at Lighthouse Arabia
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.
Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.
For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
