Slovakia Alone Among EU States Declines Pledge on Returning Deported Ukrainian Children
Slovakia was the only EU country not to sign the Toronto Pledge, which commits signatories to work for the return of Ukrainian children deported to Russia. The declaration was adopted Sept. 29 at the Pathways to Peace conference and backed by the EU and 26 of its member states. Slovakia's opposition SaS criticized Prime Minister Robert Fico's government, calling the refusal an international disgrace and de facto cooperation with the Kremlin.
The refusal may deepen perceptions of Slovakia’s isolation within the EU and could strain ties with partners focused on child repatriation. Ukrainian children and families awaiting return may see little direct benefit from Bratislava’s stance, while Slovak voters and opposition groups may debate whether the government’s approach reflects their priorities. The episode could also complicate EU efforts to present a unified humanitarian position. Count: The1 refusal2 may3 deepen4 perceptions5 of6 Slovakia’s7 isolation8 within9 the10 EU11 and12 could13 strain14 ties15 with16 partners17 focused18 on19 child20 repatriation.21 Ukrainian22 children23 and24 families25 awaiting26 return27 may28 see29 little30 direct31 benefit32 from33 Bratislava’s34 stance,35 while36 Slovak37 voters38 and39 opposition40 groups41 may42 debate43 whether44 the45 government’s46 approach47 reflects48 their49 priorities.50 The51 episode52 could53 also54 complicate55 EU56 efforts57 to58 present59 a60 unified61 humanita