Dávka - Your daily dose of Slovak news
♥ Support DávkaNewsletter
Last refreshed: 07/06/2026 21:40 · 36 articles added
Stories are refreshed at 05:30, 10:30, 15:30, and 21:30 UTC.

International Politics

View all2873 stories
International Politics

Trump Personally Approved Visas for Polish Ex-Minister Zbigniew Ziobro to Flee Budapest

Donald Trump personally decided to grant visas to former Polish Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro and his wife, enabling them to escape from Budapest. Ziobro, who served as Poland's justice minister and prosecutor general under the previous Law and Justice (PiS) government, had been a controversial figure known for his judicial reforms that were criticized by the European Union as undermining judicial independence. The circumstances surrounding his departure from Budapest and the reasons for seeking U.S. visas remain unclear, though the involvement of Trump suggests the case may have political dimensions related to Ziobro's role in Poland's contentious judicial overhaul.

SME
|
International Politics

Putin Identifies European Negotiator as Former German Chancellor Faces Agent Allegations

Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated who he believes should negotiate on behalf of Europe, according to reports focusing on former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder. Schröder, who served as Germany's leader from 1998 to 2005, currently sits on the boards of several Russian corporations, creating potential conflicts of interest in any diplomatic role. Some observers have raised concerns about Schröder's ties to Moscow, with critics describing him as effectively serving Russian interests rather than European ones. The former chancellor's corporate connections to Russia have made him a controversial figure since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as his business relationships with Russian energy companies have drawn scrutiny from European officials and the public.

SME
|
International Politics

UAE Faces Tourism Revenue Loss and Regional Trust Issues Over Israel Ties

The United Arab Emirates is experiencing significant economic and diplomatic consequences from its close relationship with Israel. Restaurants in Dubai are laying off staff as tourism revenues decline, while airports are also facing operational difficulties. The UAE's strengthened ties with Israel, formalized through the Abraham Accords normalization agreement in 2020, have damaged trust with neighboring Arab countries who view the relationship as abandoning Palestinian solidarity. The economic impact reflects broader regional tensions, as many Arab tourists and businesses have reduced their engagement with the UAE in protest of its diplomatic warming with Israel.

SME
|
International Politics

Former German Chancellor Schröder Emerges as Putin's Key European Ally, Rejected by Ukraine and EU

Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder has become Vladimir Putin's most important European ally, drawing rejection from both Ukraine and the European Union. The once-powerful Social Democratic leader has transformed from a respected statesman into a controversial figure whose pro-Russian rhetoric now embarrasses even his own party colleagues. Schröder's close personal relationship with Putin, which reportedly includes shared sauna visits, has positioned him as an unofficial negotiator despite his lack of formal diplomatic status. His alignment with Moscow has effectively ended his political influence in mainstream European politics, marking a dramatic fall from his previous role as one of Germany's most prominent post-war chancellors.

Dennik N
|
International Politics

Turkey to Reopen Border Crossing with Syria After 12 Years

Turkey will reopen a border crossing with Syria that has been closed since 2014, marking a significant shift in regional dynamics after more than a decade of closure. The crossing was shuttered in 2014 when the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) seized control of the Syrian border town of Tal Abjad, located near the crossing point in northern Syria. The SDF is a U.S.-backed militia alliance that emerged during Syria's civil war and has controlled significant territory in northern and eastern Syria, often creating tensions with Turkey, which views Kurdish armed groups as a security threat.

SMETASR/Teraz
|
International Politics

Czech Government Appoints Commissioner to Oversee NATO Commitment Fulfillment

The Czech government has appointed a special commissioner to oversee the country's fulfillment of its NATO obligations. The government also discussed defense spending for the first quarter of the year during its meeting. The appointment reflects the government's focus on ensuring compliance with the military alliance's requirements, particularly as NATO members face increased pressure to meet defense spending targets amid ongoing security challenges in Europe.

TASR/Teraz
|
International Politics

Ukraine Proposes New Reconciliation Initiative to Hungary After Elections

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Sybiha announced that Kyiv has prepared a concrete proposal to improve relations with Budapest, signaling a potential diplomatic reset between the two countries. The Ukrainian government believes the recent parliamentary elections in Hungary create an opportunity for fresh dynamics in bilateral ties and could help advance Ukraine's European Union integration process. The initiative comes as Ukraine seeks to resolve ongoing tensions with Hungary, which has been a significant obstacle to the country's EU accession efforts. Hungary, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's Fidesz party, has previously blocked or delayed various EU measures supporting Ukraine, citing concerns over the treatment of ethnic Hungarian minorities in western Ukraine.

AktualityTASR/Teraz
|
International Politics

UN Needs Reform to Strengthen Africa's Representation, Says Secretary-General Guterres

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for reforms to increase African representation within the organization's governing structures. He highlighted efforts by Britain and France to limit the veto powers of permanent Security Council members in cases involving genocide. The UN Security Council currently consists of five permanent members - the United States, Russia, China, Britain, and France - each holding veto power over resolutions, while Africa, despite being home to over a billion people and 54 UN member states, has no permanent representation on the council. The push for reform reflects growing calls from African nations and other developing countries for greater influence in global decision-making bodies established after World War II.

SME
|
International Politics

Putin Makes Revealing Statement About European Ukraine Being 'Catastrophic' for Kremlin

Russian President Vladimir Putin made what observers describe as an unguarded comment revealing the Kremlin's true concerns about Ukraine's European integration. Putin stated that a "European Ukraine" would represent a catastrophe for Russia, providing rare insight into Moscow's strategic calculations behind its opposition to Ukraine's westward orientation. The comment underscores Russia's fundamental fear that Ukraine's successful integration with European institutions would undermine Russian influence in its traditional sphere of influence and potentially inspire similar movements in other former Soviet states.

SME
|
International Politics

European Commission Warns Slovakia Over National Park Development Plans

The European Commission has warned Slovakia that proposed expansions of development areas within national parks could jeopardize hundreds of millions of euros in recovery plan funding. The warning highlights potential conflicts between Slovakia's environmental protection obligations and its access to EU recovery funds, which are tied to meeting specific environmental and climate commitments. The EU's recovery plan, formally known as the Recovery and Resilience Facility, provides member states with grants and loans to support post-pandemic economic recovery while advancing green and digital transitions. Slovakia's access to these funds depends on meeting various milestones, including environmental protection standards that appear to be at risk from the proposed national park development changes.

Aktuality
|
International Politics

EU Approves First Sanctions on Israeli Settlers After Years of Deadlock

The European Union has approved sanctions against violent Israeli settlers and Hamas representatives, marking the first time the bloc has reached political consensus on such measures. The breakthrough came after years of deadlock, with Hungary's government playing a key role in enabling the agreement. The sanctions target individuals involved in violence, representing a significant shift in EU policy toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The move demonstrates the EU's attempt to take a more balanced approach by sanctioning actors from both sides of the conflict.

Aktuality
|
International Politics

Slovak President Pellegrini Aims to Maintain Good Relations with Hungary Under New Prime Minister Magyar

Slovak President Peter Pellegrini expressed confidence that Slovakia and Hungary can maintain good bilateral relations despite the recent change in Hungarian leadership. Pellegrini stated his belief that the two countries will be able to find common ground and continue positive cooperation, even when dealing with sensitive historical issues such as the Beneš Decrees. The Slovak president's comments come as Péter Magyar has assumed the role of Hungarian Prime Minister, marking a transition in Hungarian leadership. The Beneš Decrees, issued by Czechoslovakia after World War II, remain a contentious topic in Slovak-Hungarian relations as they resulted in the expulsion of ethnic Hungarians and Germans from Czechoslovak territory, but Pellegrini indicated that such historical disputes need not derail contemporary diplomatic cooperation between the neighboring Central European nations.

Aktuality
|
International Politics

Trump Era Transforms Traditional Diplomacy, Professional Diplomats Face Obsolescence

Professional diplomacy is undergoing fundamental changes as the nature of American power shifts, according to analysis of the Trump administration's approach to international relations. The transformation renders traditional diplomatic skills increasingly irrelevant, with one comparison likening professional diplomats in the Trump era to carriage drivers in the age of automobiles. The assessment suggests that established diplomatic practices and expertise are no longer needed in the current geopolitical environment, reflecting broader changes in how the United States exercises its global influence and conducts foreign policy.

Dennik N
|
International Politics

Ukraine War Day 1,537: Russian Logistics Under Pressure as Drones Strike Deep Behind Front Lines

Russian military logistics in southern Ukraine face severe disruption as Ukrainian drones target supply routes more than 100 kilometers from the front lines, threatening Moscow's ability to maintain operations in the region. The Kerch Bridge connecting Russia to occupied Crimea has regained strategic importance as alternative supply routes to the peninsula come under increasing drone attacks. Despite reports of a ceasefire affecting Red Square and long-range strikes, fighting continues with massive violations reported from the front lines. Russian forces have advanced closer to Sloviansk and made gains west of Pokrovsk, while Ukrainian troops have entered a village near Vovchansk. Elements of Russia's Black Sea Fleet have put to sea, though details remain limited.

Dennik N
|
International Politics

EU Rejects Putin's Proposal to Use Schröder as Ukraine War Mediator

The European Union has firmly rejected Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposal to use former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder as a mediator in peace negotiations over the Ukraine war. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas warned against Russian influence in any potential talks, emphasizing that Moscow cannot dictate who represents European interests in diplomatic efforts. The proposal has encountered strong resistance in Brussels, with EU officials maintaining that the bloc must retain control over selecting its own representatives in any future negotiations. Schröder, who served as German chancellor from 1998 to 2005, has maintained controversial ties to Russia and has faced criticism for his business relationships with Russian energy companies even after the invasion of Ukraine began.

Aktuality
|
International Politics

New Hungarian Prime Minister Faces EU Energy and Foreign Policy Constraints Despite Election Victory

Péter Magyar has become Hungary's new prime minister after his party defeated Viktor Orbán's long-ruling Fidesz, with the European Union flag now flying again over Budapest. However, Magyar faces significant constraints in key policy areas including Russian gas imports and Ukraine relations, despite his electoral success. The new leader confronts a confidence test from the public while dealing with accumulated frustration from years of Orbán's rule, which had strained Hungary's relations with EU partners over issues ranging from energy policy to support for Ukraine.

Aktuality
|
International Politics

Anthropologist Compares Leadership Styles of Orbán and Fico in New Analysis

A social anthropologist has published an analysis examining the leadership styles of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who have governed their respective countries for 20 and 16 years. The researcher argues that while the two leaders are often viewed as representing similar models of leadership, and their societies appear comparable in democratically electing such figures, the nature of leadership can vary significantly regardless of apparent similarities. The analysis draws on examples from historical leadership types in Oceania to illustrate how different forms of authority can emerge even in seemingly similar contexts.

Dennik N
|
International Politics

Beijing Protests US Sanctions on Chinese Companies

The US Treasury Department announced sanctions on Friday against ten entities for allegedly procuring technologies and components for Iranian drone and missile programs. Beijing has protested the sanctions, which target Chinese companies among the sanctioned entities. The sanctions are part of ongoing US efforts to prevent Iran from obtaining advanced technology that could enhance its military capabilities, particularly its drone and missile systems that have been used in regional conflicts.

TASR/Teraz
|
International Politics

Slovak Media Outlet Challenges Claims About Ukraine's EU Membership Process

Dennik N, a Slovak daily newspaper, published an analysis disputing what it characterizes as misleading claims about accelerated procedures for Ukraine's potential European Union membership. The newspaper suggests that false information is being spread regarding expedited processes for Ukraine's EU accession, raising questions about who benefits from such misinformation. The article appears to address ongoing debates in Slovak political discourse about Ukraine's path to EU membership, as Slovakia continues to navigate its position on supporting Ukraine while managing domestic political divisions over the country's European integration process.

Dennik N
|
International Politics

Slovak Parliament Speaker Meets with Georgian Counterpart on Integration Issues

Slovak Parliament Speaker Peter Pellegrini held discussions with Shalva Papuashvili, the Chairman of Georgia's Parliament, focusing on integration matters. The Georgian parliamentary leader praised the cooperation between parliamentary committees of both countries. The meeting comes as Georgia pursues European integration while Slovakia, as an EU member since 2004, can share its experience with the accession process. Parliamentary cooperation between the two countries has been developing through various committee exchanges and institutional partnerships.

SME
|