Photo : Olivier Matthys/Pool via REUTERS
16 February 2022, Wednesday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #126
IN FOCUS
By Ashwin Dhanabalan
Slovakia’s defense agreement with the US: Three reasons why people are protesting
On 10 February, President Zuzana Čaputová ratified the Defence Cooperation Agreement with the US. Slovakia’s Parliament had earlier approved the agreement and the usage of two Slovak air force bases for the next ten years. The deal was signed by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Slovakian Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad. Seventy-nine members approved the bill of the 150 strong Slovakian Parliament.
The vote happened amid protests as the fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine remained high. The protestors rallied outside the Parliament and held up banners and flags that said, “Stop USA Army.” Blinken mentioned how: “Nothing in [the] agreement creates permanent US bases or troop presence in Slovakia, and the agreement fully respects Slovakia’s sovereignty and laws.”
Nonetheless, there have been reservations about the agreement, for the following three reasons:
First, the intricacies of the agreement.
The bilateral agreement has been in negotiation since 2018. But, it has remained a bone of contention in Slovakia even after receiving its mandate from the Parliament. A clause in the agreement allows the US to use the air force bases of Malacky-Kuchyňa and Sliač rent-free. One of the airports shares a short mountainous border with Ukraine and has raised concerns of its citizens, who are worried that the US would use this to undermine Slovakia’s sovereignty and place nuclear weapons in the country. However, 23 NATO countries like Poland and Hungary have signed similar agreements with the US, and it was not something caused by the recent tensions in Ukraine.
Second, the opportunistic politics.
Slovakia has been expanding links with the West. However, the opposition parties have used the agreement to play politics with Slovakia’s security issues. The Smer party, under the leadership of former Prime Minister Robert Fico, had initiated the talks with the US in 2018.
However, recently, he backtracked and accused the government of granting the US permission to deploy soldiers closer to Russian borders. Meanwhile, under Fico, the government had signed the USD 800 million Slovakia F-16 fighter jet contract and held multiple joint military training exercises with the US indicating a duality in his stance.
Slovakia’s Prosecutor General Maroš Žilinka, too had recently called for a complete scarp of the agreement as he accused it of being against Bratislava’s constitution. At the same time, he flew to Russia to attend celebrations of the 300th anniversary of the Russian Prosecutor’s Office. His comments received criticism as a Prosecutor General was not supposed to be involved in politics.
Third, Slovakia’s Russian legacy.
Slovakia has had cordial relations with Russia since 1993, and the latter has many sympathizers in Bratislava. However, according to the Russian News Agency, TASS, the US’ primary goal was to deploy US troops closer to the Russian border. Slovakia’s former Prime Minister Robert Fico reaffirmed TASS’ speculations and further talked about the agreement saying: “This agreement [on military cooperation with the United States] betrays Slovakia’s national interests.”
Recent tensions with Ukraine have also expedited the defense agreement. Nevertheless, the issues are more contentious in Slovakia, as a recent opinion poll by Reuters stated that 44.1 per cent believed that NATO and the US were the cause of the geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe. In comparison, only 34.7 per cent held Russia responsible. The outcome of the polls indicated a mixed response from the people due to their shared legacy with Russia.
Thus, even though the agreement was signed, there were continuing protests by the people and opposition party members. Even after the agreement’s ratification, Slovakian lawmakers were targeted with posters stuck outside their homes, calling them a traitor. Slovak deputy Miroslav Kollár called the recent developments “…reminiscent of the onset of fascism.”
References:
“Slovak government approves defence treaty with United States,” Reuters, 12 February 2022
“Slovakia backs US defence pact despite opposition during Ukraine crisis,” Reuters, 10 February 2022
“US troops set to use military bases in Slovakia after MPs approve controversial treaty,” Euronews, 09 February 2022
Michal Hudec, “Simple defence agreement with US divides Slovakia,” EURACTIV, 20 January 2022
“Slovak-US military agreement geared to deploys US troops closer to Russia - ex-PM,” TASS, 16 January 2022
Barbara Zmušková, “Slovak Prosecutor General rejects defence agreement with US, plans trip to Russia,” EURACTIV, 06 January 2022
IN BRIEF
By Joeana Cera Matthews and Padmashree Anandhan
ITALY
Euthanasia: Court thwarts referendum attempt
On 15 February, Italy’s Constitutional Court prevented a potential referendum on decriminalizing euthanasia. In August, supporters for assisted suicide gathered 750,000 signatures which were more than the required limit. Via a press release, the court maintained that the referendum would deny the “minimum protection of human life in general, particularly with reference to weak and vulnerable persons”. According to Italy’s present law, individuals assisting suicides can be jailed for five to 12 years. Nonetheless, the blockade and the subject has caused a split in Italian political parties. (“Italy: Constitutional court blocks euthanasia referendum,” Deutsche Welle, 16 February 2022)
NORTHERN IRELAND
CSO reports increase in Northern Ireland exports to Republic Ireland
On 16 January, Central Statistics office (CSO) reported that the good exported by Northern Island to the Republic of Ireland has increased by 65 per cent since 2020. The value has come up to EUR four billion in 2021 and likewise the Ireland’s exports to Northern Island has also increased to 54 per cent. In the post-Brexit, businesses in Northern Ireland have been affected to checkpoint and restrictions on the good imported from the UK, as per the report the trade between the UK and the Northern Ireland has decreased by EUR 2.4 billion. There is also a challenge as there are no current assessment to measure the trade exchange between Northern Ireland and the UK. (“Brexit: Northern Ireland goods exports to Republic 'reached €4bn in 2021',” BBC, 16 January 2022)
THE UNITED KINGDOM
UK in trouble in identifying Russian Oligarch funds
On 15 February, the UK government announced that in event of a Russian invasion, strict sanctions will be imposed on Russia. Previously British Foreign Secretary had warned that Russia will pay a heavy price for an invasion. Upon UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson visit, the sanction plans were set to target individuals close to Russian President Putin. With the reveal of “Londongrad” which contains the investment of Russian Oligarchs into the financial combining along with the UK’s capital. In the present situation with tensions growing with Russia, the UK will face a challenge in uprooting the oligarchs. (“'Londongrad': UK's tough balancing act on Russian sanctions,” Deutsche Welle, 15 February 2022)
UKRAINE
Defense ministry and state banks under cyber-attack once again
On 15 February, Ukraine reported cyber-attack on its defense ministry and two state owned banks. As per the statement given by Ukraine's Centre for Strategic Communications and Information Security: “Privat assures that there is no threat to depositors' funds.” It is suspected that the attack began on 15 February and aggravated by 16 February. Ukrainian government is yet to spot the suspect responsible for the attack, but it believes it to be Russia. Previously, Ukrainian government experienced a website-defacing attack, which warned the Ukrainian citizens to expect the worst. (The Cube, “Ukraine's defence ministry and two banks targeted in cyberattack,” Euronews, 15 February 2022)
REGIONAL
Russia: Germany’s Scholz meets with Putin
On 15 February, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met Russian President Vladimir Putin during his inaugural visit to Moscow. Engaging in diplomacy over the Ukraine crisis, Scholz stated that it was their responsibility to avoid an “escalation into war”. Scholz added: “For Europeans, it is clear that lasting security cannot be achieved against Russia but only with Russia… Dialogue cannot end in a cul de sac, that would be a disaster for everyone.” During the joint press conference, Putin expressed: “We are ready to work further together. We are ready to go down the negotiations track.” (“Ukraine crisis: 'We don't want war in Europe' Putin says in talks with Scholz,” Deutsche Welle, 15 February 2022)
Ukraine: Russia’s EU ambassador denies the possibility of imminent invasion
On 16 February, Deutsche Welle reported the Russian ambassador to the EU Vladimir CHizhov to have denied claims of an imminent Russian invasion. Chizhov’s comments were published by Die Welt, which reported: “As far as Russia is concerned, I can assure you that there will be no attack this Wednesday.” This was in reference to the allegations made by the West of the Kremlin invading Kyiv on 16 February. Chizhov added: “There will be no escalation in the coming week either, or in the week after that, or in the coming month.” The ambassador maintained that accusations such as these needed to be backed by evidence and that the West lacked this. (“No Ukraine attack 'in the coming month' says Russia's EU ambassador,” Deutsche Welle, 16 February 2022)
ECJ rules out to cut funds for those states breeching democracy
On 16 February, the European Court of Justice announced that Brussels can decide to cut funds to countries which defy the rule of law standards. According to the court, the commission was mandated to follow the procedural requirements and was granted power to withhold funds. The announcement comes after the appeal filed by Hungary and Poland. Both countries pleaded against the sanctions mechanism which targets countries that disregard the rule of law by blocking the EU funds. For which Brussels came with a measure to cut funding due to allegations on Warsaw and Budapest for undermining democratic standards. On the same, the Commission sent formal letters in November to Warsaw and Budapest. Both Hungary and Poland have been accused by the European commission and Brussels for misuse of the EU funds and for not valuing the independence of the judges. Therefore, will the order from ECJ Brussels will now be able cut funds to Poland and Warsaw, but for the Commission, it will need votes to go ahead with the sanction mechanism. (“EU top court dismisses Hungary-Poland rule-of-law challenge,” Deutsche Welle, 16 February 2022)
INTERNATIONAL
Ukraine: Biden states Russian withdrawal of troops “unverified”
On 15 February, US President Joe Biden responded to the footage of Russian troops withdrawing from the Ukrainian border. He warned that there still existed the possibility of a war. Meanwhile, few of the Russian soldiers stationed along the Ukrainian border returned to their bases following the completion of their exercises. The Kremlin spokesperson commented on this withdrawal: “We have always said that after the exercises are over ... troops would return to their permanent bases. There's nothing new here. This is a usual process.” The US Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith expressed that the claim had yet to be verified. (“Ukraine latest: Biden warns Russian attack still possible,” Deutsche Welle, 15 February 2022)