A recent survey conducted by Focus for the Future Slovakia Forum (FSF) in early March has highlighted contradictory opinions among Slovaks about NATO membership, military neutrality, and defense spending.
While 70.6% of Slovaks support staying in NATO, with nearly half saying the country “definitely” should remain, almost 50% also favor Slovakia adopting a neutral stance. This paradox reflects confusion over the nation’s defense and foreign policy.
When asked about military alignment, 49.8% of respondents preferred neutrality, while 40% backed involvement in military alliances. Despite support for NATO, many are unwilling to increase defense spending. Nearly half oppose raising the defense budget, which is currently around 2% of GDP, and only 10% favor increasing it to 3%, a threshold some NATO members are considering.
This reluctance to boost defense spending contrasts with European trends, where countries like Poland and Germany are ramping up their budgets. Slovakia’s position stands apart, especially as the European Commission proposes an €800 billion rearmament package.
Additionally, Slovaks express skepticism toward Ukraine. Over 60% oppose military aid to Ukraine, and most are against its potential NATO and EU memberships. A significant portion believes a peace agreement with Russia, involving territorial concessions, is the best resolution to the war.
The FSF interprets these results as showing that Prime Minister Robert Fico’s foreign policy contradicts the will of the people. Sociologist Michal Vašečka argues that Fico’s stance clashes with public sentiment, but the survey shows deeper contradictions in Slovak opinion. While many desire NATO protection, they are wary of military involvement and additional defense spending. As NATO allies, including the U.S., push for higher defense budgets, Slovakia faces the challenge of reconciling these conflicting public views on security and military commitments.
