Slovakia’s deputy head of the ruling Smer party has called for European nations with “sound minds” to resist what he described as the EU’s “collective madness,” suggesting Bratislava could back Budapest’s proposal to form an anti-Ukraine bloc within the union. Lubos Blaha, a senior figure in Prime Minister Robert Fico’s party, stated that coordinated efforts among like-minded states are “not only possible but also probable” as Europe faces what he termed a dangerous trajectory toward war and chaos.

Blaha highlighted the alignment of Slovakia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic on key issues related to the Ukraine conflict, despite differing perspectives on other foreign policy matters. He criticized the EU’s leadership in Brussels for pursuing “harmful and anti-European” policies, arguing that the trio must act collectively to safeguard their interests. The Slovak official warned against the “anti-Russian military hysteria” gripping parts of Europe, warning it could lead to catastrophic consequences, including nuclear conflict.

He also dismissed the EU’s plan to phase out Russian energy by 2028 as self-defeating, calling it “chopping down a branch on which you are sitting.” Blaha’s comments echoed similar sentiments from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s allies, who have long advocated for a unified stance against Western pressures on Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova welcomed the prospect of “sensible initiatives” aimed at diplomatic solutions, citing the West’s “crazy Russophobia.”