Ahoj chlapci a dievčatá,
How are things going? I heard there is war in Western Ukraine, hopefully nowhere near the Slovak border. I tried reading this article but there’s a paywall and JS block doesn’t seem to work. Any idea how to get around it?
[https://spectator.sme.sk/c/22848825/war-in-ukraine-is-slovakia-safe-qa.html?ref=njctse](https://spectator.sme.sk/c/22848825/war-in-ukraine-is-slovakia-safe-qa.html?ref=njctse)
I don’t try to flood the sub with questions, so I am trying to read Slovakia news in english but it seems hard to come by. They said that you’re getting the F-18s late, which is dumb, and NATO (probably us) troops are training there, which is good. Honestly its probably cheaper and smarter for Europe to just keep using america for defense, our government is obsessed with war anyway, and its a cost you don’t have to bear (with what we waste on military our infrastructure schools and healthcare could be so much better).
My cousin also said homes in BA are going up super high, that really sucks. Seems the whole world is that way now, and wages aren’t keeping up w inflation. My other cousin had told me when I visited years ago that most Slovaks are like a dove (I think she meant pacifist), what do people think about a possible Russian invasion, or Slovakia getting involved in some way militarily? I’m guessing no, but I don’t live there so I don’t want to assume.
3 comments
>Honestly its probably cheaper and smarter for Europe to just keep using america for defense,
and then you say
>I don’t live there so I don’t want to assume.
😄
>Honestly its probably cheaper and smarter for Europe to just keep using america for defense
While I think we should maintain our friendly relations with US and keep you as close ally, I think European Union should establish it’s own joint armed forces to maintain safety in Europe on our own.
Remember Trump? He kept Putin as a close friend, he had plans to pull US out of NATO and his commitment to keed Europe safe was questionable at best. We don’t want to remain defenseless when you elect another crazy weirdo in the future.
>My cousin also said homes in BA are going up super high, that really sucks
Yep that’s sadly true. I bought studio apartment 4 years ago for 77k €, and now it’s worth more than double it’s original price. There is construction in progress everywhere you go, and yet housing is more expensive each year.
>what do people think about a possible Russian invasion, or Slovakia getting involved in some way militarily?
Some people are worried, some people don’t care. Life is generally same as was before, with exception of refugees flowing to the country in thousands each day. I am happy to see the empathy among people though, we welcome them here and help as much as we can.
I don’t think we should be involved in the war unless we are attacked (but I am ok with sending weapons and supplies to Ukraine, and with strong and merciless economic sanctions), because we are in NATO, and direct NATO involvement would mean nukes flying.
During the first day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, bombs and missiles hit cities just 160 km from the Slovak borders. Naturally, this gives rise to many questions about Slovakia’s security and the development of the situation in the coming days.
Even though this is the closest war has come to Slovak borders in several decades, it needs to be stressed that Slovakia is safe right now. Its security is guaranteed by NATO, the strongest defence pact in the world, of which Slovakia is a part.
It is important now that people do not panic. The Slovak, European and NATO units are monitoring the situation. The Sme daily has provided answers to the questions that readers most frequently ask about the war. You can read the answers below.
• Is there a threat of war in Slovakia?
• Are people in Slovakia safe?
• Is there a chance of mobilisation in Slovakia?
• Could a state of war be declared in Slovakia?
• Should we pack our things and prepare to leave?
• What does a family of four need to prepare for in Slovakia? Does it make sense to stock up on essentials?
• What is Slovakia doing to support Ukraine?
• Will NATO come to Slovakia’s aid if it is attacked?
• Does the enhanced forward defence by NATO need to be approved by the parliament?
• Could Putin interpret the movement of troops on our territory as a sign of aggression?
• I fear that some random missile may fall in Slovakia. What then?
• Is there a threat that this will result in a third world war?
• What do Putin’s threats against countries that interfere translate to?
• What if Russian troops attack with nuclear weapons?
• How big and long will the war in Ukraine be?
• Under what circumstances would NATO get involved in Ukraine?
• What if Russia occupies Ukraine and does not strike against NATO countries?
• Do you think the harsh sanctions will force Russia to withdraw from Ukraine?
Is there a threat of war in Slovakia?
This is the fundamental question that many people are asking today. War in Slovakia, an attack on the Slovak territory, or a Russian invasion of Slovakia are not immediate threats.
Slovakia is a part of NATO and based on Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, member states guarantee each others’ security. An attack against one NATO member means an attack against the whole alliance.
Are people in Slovakia safe?
Yes, people in Slovakia are just as safe today as they were one week ago. There is no threat of attacks, shelling or air raids.
Is there a chance of mobilisation in Slovakia?
Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said that Slovakia has made no such plans right now because there is no immediate threat of an attack.
Could a state of war be declared in Slovakia?
No, it is very unlikely under the current circumstances.
Should we pack our things and prepare to leave?
No, there is no need to panic. Slovakia is facing no immediate danger.
What does a family of four need to prepare for in Slovakia? Does it make sense to stock up on essentials?
It definitely does not make sense to panic today and stock up on supplies. The first wave of the coronavirus pandemic has shown us that a lack of supplies is more often caused by unnecessary panic than by an actual shortage.
What is Slovakia doing to support Ukraine?
Slovakia has sent humanitarian aid, financial aid, and Božena 5 mine clearance systems. It is also preparing to take in refugees.
Will NATO come to Slovakia’s aid if it is attacked?
Yes, that is the principe NATO works on based on Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty. American President Joe Biden has stated that the allies are ready to protect every centimetre of the territories of NATO member states.
The NATO leadership has announced that it is going to bolster its presence on the eastern flank of the alliance, including Slovakia. The Slovak authorities have started preparing for the arrival of hundreds of NATO troops.
Does the enhanced forward defence by NATO need to be approved by the parliament?
Yes, the presence of foreign troops in Slovak territory and their mandate must be approved by the MPs.
Could Putin interpret the movement of troops on our territory as a sign of aggression?
Putin may, obviously, interpret any act as an act of aggression, since he has shown complete disregard for international law. But movements like this are common and occur regularly.
I fear that some random missile may fall in Slovakia. What then?
It could be interpreted as an attack of Russia against the whole NATO.; that is why Russia is going to be very cautious about such a scenario. If it were to happen, which is improbable, a lot of caution would be applied in assessing such a case, and the intention and the caused damages would be taken into account.
Is there a threat that this will result in a third world war?
There is no such immediate threat today. Putin warned the West in his statement on Thursday against interfering with the situation in Ukraine, but there have never been military plans to do so. The West will react with harsh sanctions and the provision of material, economic and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
What do Putin’s threats against countries that interfere translate to?
This is mainly a political declaration. Russia has gathered about 70 to 80 percent of its conventional forces for the invasion of Ukraine, meaning it does not have a greater capacity to lead a conventional war.
What if Russian troops attack with nuclear weapons?
A nuclear conflict is very improbable because all parties involved realise its disastrous consequences.
How big and long will the war in Ukraine be?
Nobody can tell at this point. It might be days, weeks, or months. The scope of the attacks is unprecedented; there are rumours that the aim is to overthrow the legitimate democratic government of Ukraine, or a wider occupation of the Ukrainian territories. Ukrainians are ready to defend their country, as their representatives have stated repeatedly.
Under what circumstances would NATO get involved in Ukraine?
This is a very hypothetical question. In the past, NATO or the international community got involved in cases when crimes against humanity were committed, such as in Yugoslavia or Syria. In 2011, a no-flight zone was declared over Libya, when Ghaddafi was preparing a massacre of people opposing his regime.
If this happened, NATO would be in direct confrontation with the Russian Federation.
What if Russia occupies Ukraine and does not strike against NATO countries?
This is a probable scenario. It is important to realise that occupying foreign territory, especially under the concentrated resistance of its locals, is very demanding.
If Russia managed to do so and refrained from attacking NATO, the West would continue harsh sanctions and support Ukrainian resistance. There would be no direct Russia-NATO conflict as long as Russia does not attack a NATO member state. The probability of that happening is very low.
Do you think the harsh sanctions will force Russia to withdraw from Ukraine?
It is very unlikely unless Russia achieves or falls short of its goals. Sanctions can significantly threaten the Russian economy and change the sentiments of the Russian public towards Putin or towards war.
©Sme