Slovakia has initiated the restoration of military-diplomatic representation with Russia for the first time since early 2022, a move officially defended as necessary for intelligence gathering but heavily criticized for allegedly undermining allied trust. Prime Minister Robert Fico previously signaled a broader re-engagement strategy during his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin, setting the stage for the return of military attaches to both embassies.

In recent months, Bratislava has deployed two military officers—Brigadier General Slavomir Staviarsky and Colonel Ivo Gahir—to Moscow, while preparing to accredit a reciprocal Russian military attache, identified by local sources as Maxim Verezan. While the Slovak Defense Ministry asserts that these postings are intended to assess the security situation, the arrangement has ignited sharp domestic debate and anxiety among Western partners.

Opposition figures and security experts have warned that the restored diplomatic channel could be exploited for intensified intelligence and influence operations within Slovak territory. Former MP Martin Poliacik suggested that the political motivation behind the appointments ties directly into Fico's electoral strategy, wherein the prime minister allegedly attempts to position himself as a sole advocate for peace while distancing his administration from ongoing geopolitical realities.

Supporters of the government have dismissed the warnings, arguing that maintaining military diplomats in Moscow mirrors the practices of other allied nations and prevents an information deficit. Nevertheless, critics maintain that such overtures by the Slovak leadership risk further degrading intelligence-sharing mechanisms and deepening friction within the broader European security architecture.

Source: www.dw.com