Slovak PM Fico Tells Students Supporting Ukraine to “Go Fight There” During School Visit

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico faced backlash from high school students during a school visit in Poprad, after making controversial remarks about the war in Ukraine and the European Union’s financial support for Kyiv, Dennik reported on November 14.

The incident took place during a classroom lecture, where Fico claimed that the European Union plans to allocate €140 billion (approximately $150 billion) “to prolong the war” in Ukraine. His statement triggered a strong reaction from the students, some of whom began to murmur and express disapproval.

Responding to the disruption, Fico reportedly snapped:

“If you’re such heroes in black T-shirts and support the war so much, then go fight there.”

Despite his request for students to allow him to finish his speech, many continued jingling their keys—a traditional form of protest in Slovakia symbolizing dissent.

Fico replied sarcastically, “Ring them, ring them,” prompting a group of students to stand up and walk out of the hall. One student was seen carrying a Ukrainian flag as they exited.

According to Dennik, this was not the first protest against Fico’s school appearances. In early November, a planned lecture by the Prime Minister at another school in Poprad was cancelled after student-led opposition, including chalk drawings of hearts in the colors of the Ukrainian flag. Following the protest, one student was reportedly questioned by police and then returned to school.

At the time, Fico said the visit wasn’t cancelled, only postponed:

“If they give me a new date, I’ll coordinate with the principal and come next week,” he told local media.

Earlier, it was reported that Robert Fico backed Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orbán’s stance, saying he does not intend to stop importing Russian oil.

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