Slovakia sends military attaché back to Russia for first time in 4 years

Slovakia and Russia are resuming the exchange of military attachés for the first time since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine – a decision that has drawn criticism from the Slovak opposition.

Source: European Pravda with reference to Slovak news outlet Aktuality

Details: During his visit to Moscow in May, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico promised Russian leader Vladimir Putin during their talks that military and diplomatic relations between the two countries would be restored. As part of these arrangements, the countries are resuming the exchange of military attachés after a four-year hiatus.

Fico's government has sent two military officers to Moscow and Bratislava is awaiting the arrival of a Russian attaché.

The last Russian military attaché to serve in Slovakia left the country four years ago. Sergei Solomasov, who held the post, was expelled by the government of Eduard Heger along with other Russian diplomats after Russia invaded Ukraine. Solomasov was also implicated in an espionage case: he bribed Bohuš Garbár, a contributor to the Hlavné správy website, to disseminate disinformation on his instructions.

According to the latest information, Russia's new military attaché in Bratislava could be 46-year-old Maksim Verezhan. The naval officer previously served at the Russian embassy in Rome and has spent the past few years in Moscow.

Slovakia has appointed its military representatives in Moscow. Brigadier General Slavomír Staviarsky will serve as military attaché and Colonel Ivo Gahír will be his deputy.

Tomáš Valášek, an MP from the Progressive Slovakia party, criticised the government's decision to resume military and diplomatic engagement with Russia. He argued that exchanging military attachés would primarily benefit Russia, as the Slovak representative is unlikely to gain access to important information in Moscow.

Valášek also said the Russian military attaché could have an opportunity to take part in disinformation and influence operations in Slovakia, fuel social tensions and sway public opinion towards Russia.

The opposition politician also suggested that the move to restore military relations may have come from Moscow, with the Slovak government simply accepting the proposal.

Background:

• Slovakia's Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, justified the return of military attachés by saying that the government is seeking to establish pragmatic relations with Russia.
• Slovak Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák recently said that Bratislava does not regard Russia as a threat.
• Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has said he does not want Slovakia to become involved in a military conflict "because of some Article 5".
• It was also reported that Slovakia's opposition is demanding explanations from the government and Fico over reports in the German media linking an attempted attack on a Ukrainian drone manufacturer in Prešov to Russian military intelligence.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon to help us keep reporting!