It won’t break me, though.”Whether Nad is incarcerated for helping Ukraine or not, his predicament already shines a light on how leaders in a pocket of the continent are emerging to break unity with the European Union and NATO and offering Russian President Vladimir Putin convenient allies at a critical time.

Ukraine and Slovakia are embroiled in a diplomatic tussle over the halted Russian gas transit to Europe. Ukraine rebukes Slovakia's Prime Minister Fico, labeling him a Russian 'mouthpiece'. The discord escalates,

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed support for the mass protests occurring in Slovakia against the policies of Prime Minister Robert Fico in a post on X on Jan. 24.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has denied accusations by Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico of Ukraine's alleged involvement in the cyberattack against a Slovak insurance company.

Ukraine will never join NATO, and its bid for EU membership is unlikely to succeed, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said during an appearance on STVR’s ‘Saturday Dialogues’.

Hungary wants the European Union to intervene in a gas dispute it has with Ukraine, a potential sign of friction in the bloc’s upcoming discussions over renewing sanctions against Russia.

Regarding NATO, the Hungarian PM stated unequivocally that Ukraine’s membership in NATO is currently not on the agenda and will not be for the foreseeable future. Responding to a journalist’s question, he explained that there will never be unanimous agreement on this issue. He went on to describe discussions around Ukraine’s NATO membership as a

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has sharply criticized Ukraine, demanding that Kyiv show "respect" towards Hungary and Slovakia, asserting that the country cannot dictate terms to EU members. Speaking at a press conference in Bratislava on Tuesday after meeting Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico,

Elsewhere, Hungary backs down on threat to veto EU sanctions on Russia; Poland reveals Russian interference attempts in May’s presidential election; Czech police reopen investigation into suspected defenestration of Czechoslovak foreign minister.

According to Slovakia’s ruling Smer party, the latest addition to the list of people and institutions supposedly threatening the country is Mamuka Mamulashvili, the Georgian commander of the National Legion.

Slovakia continues to row with Kiev over the transit of Russian gas Slovakia’s Foreign Ministry summoned Ukraine’s ambassador,