Slovakia’s populist Prime Minister Robert Fico, who opposes military aid to Ukraine, made his first appearance since being shot three weeks ago, stating he bears no malice toward the attacker.
The Prime Minister was seriously wounded in the abdomen on May 15 while greeting supporters. He is recovering and expects to return to work in about a month. The attacker has been arrested, but authorities are investigating a potential accomplice.
Known for his pro-Russian and anti-American stance, Fico believes he was targeted due to his opposition to the European mainstream on Ukraine. He ended Slovakia’s military aid to Ukraine and opposes EU sanctions on Russia and Ukraine joining NATO.
His speech comes just days before the European Parliament elections, where he continues to criticize the opposition, labeling the attacker as a “messenger of evil and political hatred.”
