Fico wants to “save” a businessman associated with Russia from sanctions/24 Channel Collage Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico called for exclusion from EU sanctions list of Slovak businessman and biker Josef Hambalka. He had previously been subject to restrictions for his connections with pro-Putin bikers. The head of the Slovak government believes that Hambalek was unfairly subject to sanctions. According to him, the biker's only fault is that he is a motorcycle lover.“There was such a boom”< /h2>
So, Robert Fico believes that restrictions were applied to the businessman only because it was “fashionable”. Like, then “there was such a boom” – everything connected with Russia should be included in the sanctions list.
The Slovak Prime Minister accused former Foreign Minister Korczok of providing his colleagues with “false information” about Gambalka.
Fico said that he had already contacted the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen regarding the lifting of sanctions from the biker.
What is known about Josef Gambalka
Slovak businessman and biker. He has long-standing contacts with politicians from Fico Smer's party, including Defense Minister Robert Kaliniak, who is the subject of a number of investigations. In the summer of 2022, the EU imposed sanctions against the leader of the Russian motorcycle club “Night Wolves” Alexander Zaldostanov. At the same time, Hambalek himself, who maintains friendship with the “wolves” and, thanks to her, met with Putin, also came under restrictions. Let us note that “Night Wolves” is a Russian organization of motorcyclists, which has recently been involved in propaganda campaigns of a great-power-imperial orientation, as well as in advertising campaigns in support of Putin personally.
Fico and his position on the war in Ukraine: what is known
- In the autumn, the pro-Russian party Smer, led by its leader, won the parliamentary elections in Slovakia Robert Fico.
- The Slovak Prime Minister adheres to the course of “reconciliation with Russia.” He advocates “peace negotiations” between Kyiv and Moscow. In addition, Fico is an opponent of military assistance to Ukraine.
- So, in November, the Slovak parliament approved the program of the government of Robert Fico, which provides for the cessation of assistance to Ukraine.
- Let us recall that during the full-scale war, the previous governments of the country transferred to our state air defense systems, helicopters, self-propelled howitzers, ammunition and fuel.
- Also Fico against Ukraine's membership in NATO.
