MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Saturday, 9 May 2026 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Friday, 8 May): MOSCOW - Shortly after arriving in Moscow on Friday to attend the Victory Day celebrations, Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the Alexander Garden, near the Kremlin walls, TASR learnt on Friday. Fico cited as the main reason for his visit "the fact that it was the peoples of the former Soviet Union, and particularly today's Russian Federation, who paid the highest price in the fight against fascism and in World War II". He also wanted to pay his respects to the Red Army soldiers who fell during the liberation of Slovakia. The prime minister promised that his government will "pay close attention to the protection and maintenance of military cemeteries in Slovakia". "For example, we've recently renovated a military cemetery in the town of Michalovce [Kosice region]. And I also plan to visit this site again," he added. Fico subsequently described himself as a politician who prioritises dialogue over strong words. "I care about normal, friendly, and standard relations between the Russian Federation and the Slovak Republic," he stated, noting that he'd also like to discuss this with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday. The prime minister claims he is the black sheep of the European Union. "I'm opposed to the idea of a single, mandatory viewpoint. I believe that such an approach is deeply flawed. And I often express opinions that don't align with this single 'correct' political stance that we are supposed to hold. Sometimes I even argue over historical facts," he explained. According to Fico, several European politicians were interested in his trip to Moscow. "The key word is dialogue. We must talk and meet. I'm an absolute advocate of any form of truce. I think it is a hundred times more sensible to wage that battle at the negotiating table. I want to express my conviction that we are nearing the end of the Russian-Ukrainian story," the prime minister replied when asked what the main message he wanted to convey to Putin was. BRATISLAVA - The opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party has criticised Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) for his trip to Moscow and his planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, describing the move as "a slap in the face" of Slovakia's allies, party spokesperson Ondrej Sprlak told TASR. SaS also plans to submit a motion to Parliament condemning the visit, added Sprlak. "Prime Minister Robert Fico has once again betrayed Slovakia. He's decided to travel to Moscow, where he'll personally meet war criminal Vladimir Putin. This trip isn't an act of remembrance, but clear support for a regime waging an aggressive war against Ukraine and threatening the security of the whole of Europe. This is a slap in the face of our allies. With this action, Fico is openly disrupting the unified stance of the European Union and NATO, of which we are members, and isolating Slovakia," warned SaS chair Branislav Groehling. According to SaS, Fico's visit is in effect not a commemoration of the end of the Second World War, but a celebration of Russian imperial policy, which is today murdering Ukrainians and threatening Slovak freedom as well. The opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) party has also criticised the prime minister's working trip, arguing that the visit is neither a policy of peace nor neutrality, but a cynical attempt to legitimise an aggressor. "While Prime Minister Robert Fico is flying to Moscow to shake hands with Vladimir Putin, representatives of Progressive Slovakia have been holding talks in Ukraine and Poland on security, economic cooperation and Slovakia's future," stated PS vice-chair Ivan Korcok. According to Korcok, Fico's trip will damage Slovakia's international standing and weaken its credibility among its European partners. He added that Slovakia is currently isolating itself from Europe and from the opportunities that Ukraine's reconstruction will bring. BRATISLAVA - With respect and gratitude, we remember all those who defended freedom with weapons in hand and those who made the ultimate sacrifice, as their courage and heroism paved the way for the peace we so often take for granted today, Slovak President Peter Pellegrini stated this on social media on Friday to mark the 81st anniversary of the victory over fascism, while also calling for the protection of peace. "Unfortunately, 81 years after the most devastating war in history, we are witnessing the erosion of the world order, with an increasing number of world powers turning to military solutions to resolve conflicts. Therefore, I ask everyone to choose peace and calm in their hearts over malice and hatred. Let us remember the important moments of our past and not allow the horrors of war to become a reality again. Let's honour the heroes and uphold the values of freedom, human dignity and respect between nations. Let today be both a reminder and a commitment to protect peace for Slovakia and for the entire world," stated Pellegrini. BRATISLAVA - Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) has decided to suspend police investigator Pavol D. from duty by issuing a personnel order following new charges that were brought against him in March regarding the misuse of public authority and extortion, which he allegedly committed in his capacity as an investigator, TASR has learnt from the strategic communications department at the Interior Minister's Office. "Under these circumstances, the issuing of a temporary measure is directly mandated by the Act on the State Service of Police Corps Members, which applies to each and every police officer. Allowing an investigator who is reasonably suspected of serious crimes to act against other persons in his capacity as a law-enforcement authority would run contrary to the protection of public trust in the rule of law," explained the ministry, adding that the legality of criminal investigations would be at risk by leaving Pavol D. on active service. According to the ministry, the fact that Pavol D. holds the status of a protected whistleblower cannot be used to overlook the existence of reasonable suspicions regarding his criminal conduct. "In this regard, the Constitutional Court has ruled that no provision of the Whistleblower Protection Act can be interpreted as having been adopted with the aim of providing protection to those facing criminal prosecution," stated the ministry. "The same procedure is applied with respect to all police officers on active service that face charges involving an intentional crime. The temporary suspension will be limited to a period of six months as envisaged by law," added the ministry. In his response, Pavol D.'s lawyer Peter Kubina described the Interior Minister's decision as neither lawful nor wise. "Today he's shown us once again that we weren't mistaken about him, and that he's not going to give way to the law or court decisions no matter what. We can always count on him to pick the worst possible path of all the options he has, thus ultimately handing us the easiest victory in court," said Kubina. BRATISLAVA - The Slovak Agriculture and Food Chamber (SPPK) has analysed the results of a special drought monitoring report compiled from information provided by its regional chambers across Slovakia, TASR was told by SPPK spokesperson Jana Holeciova on Friday. According to the data, the current drought is more severe than during the same period of last year and over the past seven years (2019–2026), as 22.7 percent of Slovakia's territory was affected by extreme drought in 2020. By 5 May 2026, 38.7 percent of Slovakia's territory had already been affected by extreme drought. "We've observed a sharp increase in drought over the past three weeks and even in recent days, driven by high daily temperatures, water evaporation from the soil and windy weather," she explained. Holeciova emphasised that the drought is adversely affecting all crops grown in Slovakia, including winter oil-seed rape, winter crops, spring crops, vegetables, including potatoes, plus the crops of orchards and vineyards. The crops are shorter, their growth is slowing down and the root systems are weak. am