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Slovakia resumes military attaché exchange with Russia
Slovakia is resuming the exchange of military attachés with Russia, ending a four-year diplomatic freeze that began following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Slovak Ministry of Defense confirmed the plan, which follows an agreement reached between Prime Minister Robert Fico and Vladimir Putin during a meeting in Moscow this past May.
Slovakia has already dispatched two representatives to Moscow: Brigadier General Slavomír Staviarský and Colonel Ivan Gahír. In return, Russia is expected to send naval officer Maxim Verežan to Bratislava. Verežan previously served at the Russian embassy in Rome.
The move has drawn criticism from political opposition members who warn of increased espionage risks. The diplomatic relationship was previously severed after the former Russian military attaché, Sergei Solomasov, was caught bribing a local writer, Bohuš Garbar, who was subsequently convicted of espionage.
Entities
Ivo Gahír · Maxim Verežan · Robert Fico · Russia · Slavomír Staviarsky · Slovakia · Vladimir Putin
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Prime Minister Robert Fico reached an agreement with Vladimir Putin to resume military attaché operations during a May visit to Moscow. www.dagens.com · www.europesays.com · www.startitup.sk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Russian naval officer Maxim Verežan is expected to arrive in Bratislava. www.startitup.sk
- [● 4 SOURCES] Slovakia is resuming the exchange of military attachés with Russia. www.dagens.com · dagens.de · www.europesays.com · www.startitup.sk
- [● 2 SOURCES] Slovakia has already sent two representatives to Moscow. www.europesays.com · www.startitup.sk
- [● 2 SOURCES] Former Russian attaché Sergei Solomasov was expelled in 2022 after being filmed handing cash to a local collaborator. www.europesays.com · www.startitup.sk
- [● 3 SOURCES] Bohuš Garbar was convicted of espionage and bribery. www.dagens.com · dagens.de · www.startitup.sk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Slovakia is sending Brigadier General Slavomír Staviarský and Colonel Ivan Gahír to Moscow. www.startitup.sk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Slovak opposition politicians have criticized the decision, warning of increased espionage risks. www.europesays.com