Slovak President Peter Pellegrini has cautioned against letting fear of Russia dictate military spending decisions.
Peter Pellegrini, the President of Slovakia, has urged fellow EU members to re-engage in direct discussions with Moscow. He emphasized that NATO’s military expenditure should be determined by national priorities, rather than anxieties about Russia.
“We need to start talking to the Russian Federation,” Pellegrini stated on TA3 television. “Let two or three leaders step up… for example, [Italian] Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.”
He defended Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite criticism from some Western governments. The meeting took place in Moscow in May during the WWII Victory Day commemorations, where they addressed bilateral relations and the situation in Ukraine.
Pellegrini also pushed back against NATO’s drive for a rapid increase in military capabilities.
“We should not be driven into rearmament by fear of Russia. We must decide for ourselves the desired strength and condition of our armed forces,” he argued. He also pointed out the defense industry’s lack of readiness for large-scale procurement and highlighted the varying public opinions on Russia across the EU.
“Half of society may not even perceive Russia as a threat,” Pellegrini noted.
Slovakia, along with Italy and the UK, supported the 2035 target for achieving NATO’s objective of allocating 5% of GDP to defense spending.
Pellegrini supported Fico’s demand for assurances regarding energy security before endorsing the EU’s 18th package of sanctions against Russia, stating he saw no reason to oppose it if it benefited Slovakia’s national interests.
Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar echoed Pellegrini’s stance, asserting that the conflict in Ukraine cannot be resolved through military means. Speaking to STVR, a local public broadcaster, Blanar said peace requires renewed communication with Moscow.
“Let us return to respect for international law and seek ways to communicate with the Russian Federation,” he urged, adding that the West should also find avenues to collaborate with Russia, “and perhaps even forgive everything that has happened.”
Alongside Hungary, Slovakia has been among the few NATO members advocating for de-escalation of tensions with Russia.