A recent survey conducted by the Focus agency for the Future Slovakia Forum (FSF) in early March has revealed paradoxical views among the Slovak population regarding NATO membership, military neutrality, and defense spending.
According to the poll, 70.6 percent of Slovaks want the country to remain in NATO, with 45.1 percent stating Slovakia should “definitely stay” and 25.5 percent saying it “rather should stay.” However, nearly 50 percent of respondents also expressed support for Slovakia adopting a neutral status, highlighting a contradiction in public sentiment about the country’s defense and foreign policy.
When asked about Slovakia’s military alignment, 49.8 percent believe Slovakia should be a neutral country, 40 percent support Slovakia being part of military alliances while 10.2 percent were undecided.
The survey suggests that many Slovaks see NATO as a protective shield without requiring active involvement or increased financial contributions.
Despite supporting NATO membership, a significant portion of Slovaks are unwilling to increase military spending. Almost half of respondents (49.6 percent) oppose any increase in defense expenditure, maintaining the current level of around 2 percent of GDP. Only 10 percent of respondents support raising it to 3 percent of GDP, the level some NATO allies are now considering.
This stance contrasts with trends across Europe, where countries such as Germany and Poland have committed to increasing their defense budgets. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently proposed an €800 billion rearmament package, further emphasizing Slovakia’s divergence from the broader European approach to defense policy.
The survey also highlights skepticism toward Ukraine. More than 60 percent of Slovaks oppose providing military assistance, while only 26 percent support it.
When asked how the war in Ukraine should end, 51.5 percent favor a peace agreement that cedes some Ukrainian territory to Russia in exchange for security guarantees, while 30.9 percent insist on Russia withdrawing from all occupied territories.
Some 5 percent of Slovaks believe that Ukraine should cease to exist entirely and be entirely occupied by Russia.
Unsurprisingly, respondents are not convinced by Ukraine’s future involvement in Western alliances such as NATO and the European Union.
Just 27.1 percent support its membership of NATO compared to 57.5 percent against, while a majority (51.2 percent) are also against its EU membership with 34.4 percent in favor.
The FSF interprets the results as evidence that Prime Minister Robert Fico’s foreign policy contradicts the majority opinion of Slovak citizens.
“Robert Fico and his government are acting against the majority opinion, will, and needs of Slovak citizens in their decisions and overall foreign policy logic,” argues sociologist Michal Vašečka.
However, the data actually reveal deep contradictions within Slovak public opinion, reflecting both a desire for NATO protection and an aversion to military commitments, which Fico is very much aligned with.
As NATO allies, including the U.S., push for increased defense spending, Slovakia faces a considerable challenge in reconciling its public’s conflicting desires for security, neutrality, and limited defense investment.
