Slovak populist premier is in a spat with the UK ambassador to Bratislava over the war in Ukraine

Slovakia’s populist Prime Minister Robert Fico has reacted angrily aft nan British ambassador to Bratislava criticized his question and reply pinch Russia’s Rossiya 1 state-owned television, saying, “Slovakia is not Britain’s colony.”

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia -- Slovakia’s populist Prime Minister Robert Fico reacted angrily connected Friday aft nan U.K. ambassador to Bratislava criticized his question and reply pinch Russia’s Rossiya 1 state-owned television, saying, “Slovakia is not Britain’s colony.”

“I don’t cognize what gives you a correct to interfere successful my media activities,” Fico said successful a video sent by his office. He is presently connected a sojourn to China.

“That you correspond a bigger and stronger authorities successful Slovakia does not warrant your unacceptable behavior,” Fico said, calling connected Ambassador Nigel Baker to extremity interfering successful his government's sovereign overseas policy.

In his question and reply for nan Russian propaganda channel, Fico condemned Western support for Ukraine that is fighting nan Russian aggression, repeating his sentiment it only prolongs nan warfare and accusing nan European nations of not being willing successful a serene resolution.

Baker said connected X connected Wednesday he regretted that Fico agreed to talk to a presenter who is nether British and European Union sanctions and said Fico’s declare that nan West doesn’t want bid is not true. He besides said that nan fastest measurement to bid would beryllium nan withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine.

Fico returned to powerfulness for nan 4th clip past twelvemonth aft his leftist statement Smer (Direction) won parliamentary elections connected a pro-Russia and anti-American platform.

His views connected Russia’s warfare connected Ukraine and different issues sharply disagree from nan European mainstream. Fico ended his country’s subject assistance for Ukraine, opposes EU sanctions connected Russia, and wants to artifact Ukraine from joining NATO.

In nan question and reply pinch Russian TV, he said it would beryllium an grant for him to be a accepted subject parade successful Red Square successful Moscow to people nan 80th day of nan extremity of WWII connected May 9 adjacent year.

The question and reply was condemned by Slovakia's guidance and politicians successful nan neighboring Czech Republic.