Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico urged the EU to pursue friendly competition with China rather than treating it as an enemy, advocating for competitiveness through improved performance instead of new tariffs or barriers during talks with European Council President Antonio Costa.
Ukraine's NATO membership bid is unlikely to succeed, according to a former top military commander.
China pitched Slovakia on artificial intelligence and robotics cooperation during President Xi Jinping's talks with Slovak leader Peter Pellegrini, as EU-China trade tensions intensify and some European nations reconsider Beijing relations amid shifting US policies.
NATO faces fracturing unity as Poland and Central European allies refuse additional Ukraine funding while Trump withdraws American support, leaving Zelensky's war effort critically underfunded despite drone innovation advancing Ukrainian military capabilities significantly.
German-Dutch Corps Assumes Control of NATO Forces in Estonia, Latvia Ahead of Ankara Summit
Czech public broadcasters stage a warning strike over a government plan to change their funding model.
Thousands of Czechs rally against the government's plan to overhaul public broadcaster funding.
Prime Minister Modi arrived in Geneva en route to France's G7 Summit, welcomed by Swiss President Parmelin. Following his historic Slovakia visit where he received the country's highest honor, Modi will participate in G7 sessions on partnerships, economic growth, and AI implementation.
PM Modi receives Slovakia's highest civilian honor during his Bratislava visit.
India and Slovakia elevated ties to comprehensive partnership, with PM Modi's historic visit yielding over a dozen outcomes including defense cooperation and counterterrorism agreements, while both nations committed to reforming global institutions like the UN.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for comprehensive United Nations Security Council reforms to better represent contemporary geopolitical realities, reiterating demands ahead of G7 talks in France involving world leaders.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico demands the EU reimburse Slovakia approximately 700 million euros for military equipment donated to Ukraine between 2022 and 2023, claiming the transfers weakened Slovakia's defense capabilities and partly fulfilled German replacement promises.
The Geopolitical Calculus Behind Fico and Modi Shared Survival Strategy
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm cultural welcome in Bratislava with folk dance performances and traditional customs.
Nice Mayor Eric Ciotti welcomes Indians, saying they are always welcome in the city.
Prime Minister Modi's six-day European tour strategically prioritizes Central Europe, particularly Slovakia's manufacturing sector, over Western Europe, signaling India's shift toward bypassing EU bureaucracy through supply-chain integration and advancing deep-tech exports via French partnerships.
PM Modi reaches France, may meet President Macron today
UK Prime Minister Burnham plans to convey Zelenskyy's requests for Patriot missiles to Trump, while the Kremlin accuses Western leaders of prolonging Ukraine's conflict and German investigators discover additional drone evidence near Leipzig airport.
Hungary will shut down its only nuclear power plant due to record-low Danube River levels amid drought.
Slovakia, Czech Republic, and Hungary refused to financially contribute to NATO's new 70 billion euro 2026 Ukraine military aid package, citing sovereignty and non-intervention principles, shifting the burden to larger European economies like Germany.
Slovaks voted on canceling lifelong payments for Prime Minister Robert Fico and other leaders.
Four Central European leaders revived their fractured Visegrád Four alliance at a Hungary summit, signaling renewed cooperation on infrastructure, energy, and EU coordination after tensions over the former prime minister's pro-Russian stance.
Thousands of Czechs rallied against the government's plan to overhaul public broadcaster funding, citing concerns for media independence.
PM Modi gifted French and Slovak leaders traditional Indian artworks and textiles showcasing the country's cultural heritage.
Peter Pellegrini wins Slovakia's presidential election, defeating Ivan Korcok with 53.85% of the vote.
India and Slovakia establish a joint counterterrorism working group and elevate their ties to a Comprehensive Partnership.
Prime Minister Modi visited Slovakia for the first time in 33 years, elevating India-Slovakia ties to comprehensive partnership status and signaling New Delhi's strategic engagement with fractured Europe while leveraging two-way trade exceeding 1.8 billion dollars.
Prime Minister Modi's first visit to Slovakia resulted in elevated bilateral relations and multiple memoranda of understanding covering defence, digital technology, counter-terrorism, and labour mobility, while both nations endorsed the ambitious India-EU Free Trade Agreement to enhance economic cooperation.
Prime Minister Modi, the first Indian PM to visit Slovakia since 1993, elevated India-Slovakia ties to comprehensive partnership, concluding defence, labour mobility, digital technology, and cyber-security agreements while emphasizing cooperation potential in automobiles, space, and AI.
PM Modi visited Slovakia for the first time since its 1993 independence, elevating India-Slovakia ties to Comprehensive Partnership and inviting PM Fico to India while discussing cooperation in defence, technology, and trade.
PM Modi arrives in Slovakia: Welcome with traditional bread and salt ceremony, to meet top leaders today
Prime Minister Modi's first-ever visit to Slovakia marks a significant diplomatic milestone, with bilateral trade reaching $1.8 billion in 2025 and major Indian firms like Tata establishing manufacturing operations there, signaling deepening strategic partnership beyond ceremonial engagement.
Indian Prime Minister Modi began a five-day European tour landing in Nice, holding bilateral talks with Macron and launching innovation initiatives in France, making Slovakia's first-ever Indian PM state visit, and attending the G7 summit Wednesday for Trump bilateral and Global South representation.
Prime Minister Modi and President Trump will meet at the G7 Summit in France amid bilateral tensions over a US strike killing three Indian seafarers, with trade negotiations and regional security concerns expected to dominate discussions.
Slovakia's left-wing Prime Minister Robert Fico resembles the MAGA right with nationalist policies.
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed meets Slovak PM Robert Fico to boost bilateral ties and cooperation.
NATO faces internal divisions at next week's Ankara summit as the U.S. reassesses commitments, Central European allies reduce Ukraine support, and Russia signals potential provocations, threatening alliance cohesion over defense spending and Kyiv's financing needs.
Slovaks vote on canceling lifelong payments for Prime Minister Robert Fico and other leaders.
Czech public broadcasters stage a warning strike over a government plan to change their funding model.
Thousands of Czechs rally against the government's plan to overhaul public broadcaster funding.
Slovakia's government faces a parliamentary confidence vote after the country's debt exceeded constitutional limits at 61.4% of gross national product, triggering required scrutiny despite the coalition's expected victory.
PM Modi witnesses Slovak schoolchildren performing yoga during his visit to Bratislava ahead of International Yoga Day.
India and Slovakia elevated bilateral relations to comprehensive partnership, with agreements on defense, AI, cyber security, and labor mobility during Prime Minister Modi's historic visit, the first by an Indian premier since Slovakia's 1993 independence.
Prime Minister Modi's Bratislava summit with Slovakia prioritizes low-impact diplomatic theater, squandering India's European outreach capital on marginal trade relationships and incompatible defense partnerships while neglecting structural EU negotiations critical for meaningful geopolitical and economic advancement.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Slovakia's highest civilian honour, his 33rd global recognition.
PM Modi receives Slovakia's highest honour, his 33rd international award.
Prime Minister Modi elevated India-Slovakia relations to Comprehensive Partnership during his historic first visit to Bratislava, identifying automobiles, railways, green technology, and defense cooperation as priority areas while highlighting vast untapped potential.
PM Modi Arrives in Slovakia After Historic France Visit
Prime Minister Modi visits France for bilateral talks with President Macron, discussing a significant 114 Rafale fighter jet deal, twelve bilateral agreements spanning defense and technology, and strategic partnerships amid G7 summit participation.
Prime Minister Modi began a Europe tour in France, meeting President Macron and inaugurating Bharat Innovates 2026, then visits Slovakia before attending the G7 Summit where he may meet Trump to discuss trade alongside engaging other world leaders.