Slovak–Russian Relations: A Challenging Big Brother Legacy

After its founding, the Slovak Republic maintained its relations with Russia in continuity with previous, particularly economic relations. However, these were oriented according to the Agreement on Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation, mainly on international trade and cultural cooperation. The development of Russia's interference in Slovakia's political environment, which has resulted in the expulsion of diplomats, the import of the unapproved Sputnik V vaccine or the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, has put the unequal relationship into a different perspective. Despite these situations, there is still a certain historical legacy of a positive perception of relations with Russia by the Slovak public. However, even in the light of unjustified interference, these are at odds with Slovakia's commitments within the EU, particularly in the area of foreign policy.