MOSCOW – The Kremlin on Thursday condemned the assassination attempt on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who was shot while leaving a government meeting, and wished him a speedy recovery.
“Naturally, we condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms,” Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Izvestia. “We consider it absolutely unacceptable – this is really a great tragedy.”
“We hope that Mr. Fico will be able to pull through and recover as soon as possible. We wish him a speedy recovery,” Peskov added.
President Vladimir Putin, preparing for a visit to China, made the rare move of sending a telegram to Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová over the incident on Wednesday.
“I was indignant to learn about the attempt on the life of the Chairman of the Government of the Slovak Republic, Robert Fico. There can be no justification for this monstrous crime,” Putin stated.
“I know Robert Fico as a courageous and strong-minded man. I very much hope that these qualities will help him to survive this difficult situation,” he added.
The shooting, which took place in the central Slovak town of Handlová, was reportedly carried out by a 71-year-old man, according to Slovak media. The incident has shocked the small central European nation and drawn widespread international condemnation.
Slovak authorities are investigating the motive behind the attack and have heightened security measures around government officials in the wake of the shooting. Prime Minister Fico, known for his resilient political career and strong stances on various issues, remains in critical but stable condition, according to local reports.
The international community, including leaders from the European Union and other nations, have expressed their solidarity with Slovakia and condemned the attack. This incident has underscored the increasing concerns about political violence and security in Europe.