Fico’s associate compared Ukraine to HAMAS and justified Russia’s aggression as “provoked”

In Slovakia, debates have erupted over statements about Ukraine. Politician Tibor Gašpar, who holds the position of deputy chairman of the ruling Smer party, compared Ukraine to Hamas. His words were spoken on September 7, 2025, in a discussion program on the “Markíza” TV channel.

Gašpar’s Ambiguous Statements

Commenting on the situation, Gašpar linked the aggression of the Russian Federation to provocation, claiming that the conflict was provoked. Emphasizing his position, he noted that it is “provoked aggression” and disagreed with the opinion of the chairman of the opposition party “Progressive Slovakia,” Michal Šimečka, who characterized Russia’s actions as a significant violation of international law.

During a meeting with Šimečka, Gašpar mentioned the conflict that occurred on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel. He noted that events in Ukraine are developing according to a similar scenario. Such comparisons elicited a sharp reaction from Šimečka, who pointed out the large number of casualties associated with the terrorist attack.

Šimečka expressed bewilderment regarding the comparison: “You can’t be serious. Hamas killed a thousand people. Are you saying that Ukrainians invaded Russia and killed a thousand civilians?”

Moreover, he reminded Gašpar that Fico, previously as the leader of the opposition, supported the Slovak parliament’s resolution on “unprovoked aggression” based on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Strategic Assistance to Ukraine

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, taking a controversial position on the conflict issue, recently offered Ukraine assistance, emphasizing the possibility of sharing euro-integration experience. He expressed hope that Kyiv would avoid the mistakes that occurred in his country’s history.

Important points were highlighted by Fico during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He noted that the opportunity to discuss issues one-on-one helps eliminate misunderstandings and promote various positions.

Meeting with Putin

The Slovak Prime Minister also stated Putin’s interest in a possible meeting with Zelensky not only in Moscow. According to media reports, during a recent meeting in Uzhgorod, Zelensky also hinted at readiness to hold talks.

Escalation of Political Debates

In discussions about the conflict, Slovak politicians’ opinions demonstrate a wide range of approaches. While some call Russia’s actions aggression, others, like Gašpar, hold alternative views. The emerging disputes show how complex and multifaceted the topic of the war in Ukraine remains, along with its accompanying political consequences for the region.

Slovak politicians continue to exchange statements, and it is clear that the storms around foreign policy issues are only intensifying, increasing tension in society.