The article talks about the meeting between Slovakia’s prime minister Robert Fico and NATO’s secretary general. In this meeting the prime minister reiterated his intent to not supply Ukraine with deadly weapons but still allow for commercial contracts with the country. After this the prime minister asked for help to bolster Slovakia’s air defences which it has been trying to increase for the past couple of years with the purchase of new fighter jets and Israeli air defense systems.
Considering that Russia has exhibited major aggression to its neighbors since the war started in Ukraine, it is smart for the prime minister to be calling upon NATO for this deficiency initiative. The bolstered defense would provide a block to Russian military power if it chooses to expand past Ukraine. It also looks like The prime minister is attempting to keep neutral relations with Russia through the lack of support while also acknowledging the clear and present danger the Russia poses.
The three major players are the Slovakian government, NATO and Russia. The slokakian government is likely building up to defend against potential Russian invasion and should request more than just air defenses. Since most of NATO’s backing comes from the US it is unclear whether the support will be given to Slovakia because of the US’s continued retreat from foreign conflicts. Russia I like to see this request as a threat following its push to keep Ukraine out of NATO and may potentially put diplomatic sanctions on the country.
This article connects to our class through IGOs and diplomacy. NATO is an IGO which gives support to countries as a form of collective defense but as of recent years support for programs like these have declined from many different countries. It connects to diplomacy through Slovakia’s push for receiving benefits from its alliances and blocked European sanctions against Russia in fear of losing its power supply.