MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Monday, 21 September 2026 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Sunday, 20 September): BRATISLAVA - The failure of the strategy aimed at destroying Russia through the war in Ukraine has lead some Western politicians to believe that, if this can't be achieved through the Ukrainian army and full support for it, then everything must be done to bring about a conflict between NATO and Russia, Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) said this in a video posted on social media on Saturday (19 September). Fico added that he doesn't wish to see such a conflict and that he'll make every effort to prevent Slovakia from being drawn into any "irresponsible military adventure". "The war between Russia and Ukraine is not our Slovak war. If there's anyone interested in provoking a military conflict between NATO and Russia to satisfy their own national interests, then they must also bear their own responsibility for this without shifting it to other NATO member states," stated Fico. According to him, it's very easy to prepare a pretext for starting a war. However, he said, we're mature enough to distinguish whether it's a genuine armed attack by a non-member country against one or more NATO members. "Under my government, no one will send Slovak troops outside Slovakia's territory to fight against Russia or any other country under a fabricated pretext," the prime minister said. BRATISLAVA - I respect that Czech President Petr Pavel, as a former NATO general, would like to fight; therefore, I would welcome it if he respected that I prefer peace, Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) said in response to Sunday's statement by the Czech president who described Fico's remarks concerning Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty as serious. "Czech President Petr Pavel, whom I always treat with esteem and respect as the head of the sovereign Czech Republic, often tends to comment on my work. This time, he was disturbed by my position on efforts to provoke an armed conflict between NATO and Russia," stated Fico, adding that he does not and will not belong among those looking for a pretext for a war between NATO and Russia. "The military rhetoric of the West and the search for a pretext for a military conflict with Russia is meant to cover up the liberal world's inability to address fundamental challenges, such as the prices and availability of energy and fuels, or illegal migration," added Fico. BRATISLAVA - Entertaining the illusion that a functional balanced state budget can be submitted today is a utopia, President Peter Pellegrini said on JOJ 24's discussion programme 'Politika 24' (Politics 24) on Sunday, adding that the preparation of a budget a year before a parliamentary election is always a major problem. However, he hopes that this effort will be successful and that Slovakia will not have to operate under a provisional budget. "A balanced budget would only be a utopia and would cause total disruption in Slovakia, in its public finances, in the economy and in people's everyday lives. It would be a total disruption. If it's just a matter of presenting a zero deficit and then having Parliament change it, that's a tactic that I'll leave to the Council for Budget Responsibility and the government to settle between themselves; perhaps the Constitutional Court will also become involved. But to have the illusion that it's possible to present a functional balanced budget today is a utopia," said Pellegrini. The president believes that some elements from the Vision Slovakia 2040 document should be included in the budget. Furthermore, the budget must allow for continued pay rises for healthcare workers as well as increased spending on modern medicines, he said. BRATISLAVA - The aim of the National March for Life held in Bratislava on Sunday afternoon is to ensure that every person's right to life is protected from conception to natural death, according to organisers of the event. "Through the march, we want to draw attention to the insufficient protection of the lives of unborn children and, at the same time, sensitise our society in terms of the need to protect the life of every person without distinction, while also helping those in need," stated the organisers. They added that their efforts also include providing assistance to pregnant women and their families in difficult life situations. This year, the organisers also call on MPs to incorporate a ban on surrogacy into a specific law, and not just into the Constitution. BRATISLAVA/NEW YORK - President Peter Pellegrini left for the United States on Sunday afternoon to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), with Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) also being part of the delegation, TASR reported on the same day. While in New York, Pellegrini will deliver an address during the UNGA general debate, attend a meeting of the UN Security Council and hold several bilateral meetings. The general debate is due to start on Tuesday (22 September), with Pellegrini's address scheduled for Wednesday (23 September). At the end of the first day of the general debate, he will attend a formal reception hosted by US President Donald Trump on the occasion of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. ko