Controversy Erupts Over Slovak Foreign Minister’s Comments on Russian Drones
BRATISLAVA – Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár ignited controversy on Wednesday by suggesting that Russian drones that entered Polish airspace were likely intended for Ukraine, rather than for an attack on Poland, reports 24brussels.
Blanár’s remarks came in response to the Russian drone incursions over Poland, where he expressed a belief that the drones were meant for Ukrainian territory. His comments have drawn significant backlash from the public and opposition parties, with calls for renewed antigovernment protests that had been suspended for months.
Former Foreign Minister Ivan Korčok accused Blanár of “losing touch with reality,” highlighting the escalating tensions surrounding the incident. Both Prime Minister Robert Fico and Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák acknowledged the seriousness of the airspace violation and demanded a thorough investigation, but refrained from directly implicating Russia.
Fico emphasized the need for an objective assessment of whether the drone incursions were intentional or accidental and under whose control the drones operated. “It is absolutely necessary to objectively assess whether this was intentional or accidental, and under whose control the drones were,” he stated.
Influential Smer MP Tibor Gašpar commented on the situation, asserting that he does not believe it is in Russia’s interest to attack any EU country, further complicating the narrative surrounding the drone incursions.
