MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Sunday, 4 October 2026 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Saturday, 3 October): BRATISLAVA - VYSNY KOMARNIK - In his speech at the celebrations marking the 82nd anniversary of the Carpathian-Dukla Operation, President Peter Pellegrini pointed out that increasing armaments and escalating various provocations is not the way to ease tensions, but rather to further escalate them. The head of state also highlighted the war in Ukraine, during which, he said, tens of thousands of young men on both sides are dying every month at the same age at which many of their ancestors fell at Dukla. "I'm firmly convinced that every single heroic deed and every single life lost was sacrificed in the hope that their children and future generations would never again experience the horrors of war," he said, speaking of the heroism of the soldiers in the Valley of Death at Dukla. In his view, the two hostile states to the east of us are currently unable to reach agreement even on a ceasefire and a truce, during which, he believes, they could return to diplomatic negotiations. "I'm deeply sorry that, gradually, the only solution the international community is offering us for this conflict is to arm ourselves even more, to fight even more and to die even more," he stated, adding that the memory of the young lives lost at Dukla obliges the whole of Europe to seek a peaceful resolution to the five-year war in Ukraine. Pellegrini also emphasised that people are observing how, in recent weeks and months, there has been, in his view, an increasing and more open discussion of the possibility of a conflict between the NATO and Russia. According to the president, the language used by diplomats is becoming harsher and the atmosphere is beginning to resemble the situation prior to major world conflicts in the past. He views talk of armament with concern. In his view, increasing armament and escalating various provocations is not the way to ease tensions, but rather to escalate them further. VYSNY KOMARNIK - Anniversaries are only meaningful if, when marking them, we ask not only what happened back then, but also what it tells us today, Parliamentary Chair Richard Rasi (Voice-SD) said in his speech at the celebrations marking the 82nd anniversary of the Carpathian-Dukla Operation, adding that natural differences of opinion on the government, laws, the economy or the country's direction shouldn't spill over into disparaging the country itself. According to him, Dukla reminds us of four things. First and foremost, the House chair emphasised that Dukla is home. "Patriotism doesn't mean claiming that everything in Slovakia is fine. Quite the opposite. It means seeing its problems, naming them and wanting to put them right," he said, adding that we bear responsibility for the country we've inherited from the generations before us. Secondly, he mentioned respect for Slovakia. In his view, democracy can't exist without debate; therefore, differing opinions on the government, laws, the economy or the country's direction are natural. Rasi added that it's necessary to distinguish between criticising conditions in Slovakia and disparaging Slovakia itself. "And this is particularly true when we cross its borders. Because abroad, our words don't merely shape the image of a single government, a single political party or a single politician. We also shape the image of Slovakia," he stated. KRUZLOVA - A statue of Marshal Ivan Konev was unveiled on Saturday in the Valley of Death, as part of the municipality of Kruzlova (Presov region) near the Dukla Pass. The unveiling was attended by Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Richard Takac, MEP Lubos Blaha (both Smer-SD), Russian Ambassador to Slovakia Sergey Andreev, and chairman of the Slovak Union of Anti-Fascist Fighters Jaroslav Demian. In a brief speech, Takac thanked everyone who had contributed to the unveiling of the statue, noting that, in his view, memorials are being destroyed across Europe and in Slovakia. He believes that erecting memorials to figures who gave their lives so that we might live in a free country is entirely appropriate. "We can't equate what's happening today with what took place more than 80 years ago," he said, adding that, in his view, the memorial is not just about General Konev, but also about the many people in this region who gave their lives for freedom. "The Slovak Union of Anti-Fascist Fighters considers it to be an honour to pay tribute to and express its gratitude to Ivan Stepanovich Konev at these exceptionally significant sites, where our freedom was born through bloody battles and at the cost of many lives," said the chairman of the anti-fascist fighters. In his speech, the Russian ambassador thanked Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD), who, he said, had come up with the initiative two years ago to commemorate Konev in Slovakia. WASHINGTON - The US Department of State confirmed to TASR on Saturday that the United States had redirected $52 million (€46.33 million) in military aid, which was also intended for Slovakia, to four countries in Latin America. The Washington Post (WP) reported on this move on Friday, citing three anonymous US officials. "The Department of State is proceeding with the reallocation of $52 million from unspent funds under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) programme to support priority partners in the Western Hemisphere," said department's spokesperson Tommy Pigott. According to him, these funds will be used to strengthen US security partnerships with Colombia, Ecuador, Panama and Peru, and to limit the military influence of adversaries in the region. Pigott emphasised that the US will continue to invest in security partners "who are prepared to act immediately, and in programmes that support the current key national security priorities of the United States". KOSICE - The life experience and wisdom of older people are an irreplaceable source of knowledge for younger generations, President Peter Pellegrini stated during a visit to the Bethesda Senior care home in Kosice on the occasion of an event called 'A Legacy for Future Generations', TASR was told by the President's Office on Saturday. The head of state emphasised that, thanks to their life experience and knowledge, older people have much to pass on to younger generations. "Because grey hair brings with it experience and perspectives that can help a young person shape their future life, their character and their views, and can often help them resolve situations that, from their youthful perspective, seem insurmountable," he said. The president's visit also included the ceremonial planting of a commemorative tree - a linden tree. As part of the first year of the project, the senior citizens wrote down their messages, advice, wishes and life lessons, which they hung on the linden tree they had planted together during the ceremony. The president added that the stories shared by older people can provide an opportunity for younger people to pause, listen to the experience of the older generation and take something from them to apply to their own lives. am