Slovak Leader Makes Overtures to EU as Trump Sentiment Sours

Emmanuel Macron, left, welcomes Robert Fico at the Elysee Palace in Paris, on Jan. 29.Photographer: Henrique Campos/AFP/Getty Images

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January 30, 2026 at 2:34 PM UTC

Slovak leader Robert Fico, whose allegiance with Donald Trump and running battles with European Union institutions have defined his premiership, is offering an olive branch to EU partners.

A two-hour meeting in Paris between Fico and French President Emmanuel Macron is the latest signal that the Slovak leader aims to rebuild bridges with countries in the 27-member bloc, many of whom he’s belittled as “warmongers” over their military assistance to Ukraine.