Ukrainian-Slovak relations in 2022–2025: between strategic balancing and regional cooperation
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Abstract. The aim of this article is to examine Ukrainian-Slovak relations in 2022–2025 in the context of the shift in the political course of the central government of the Slovak Republic and the intensification of cross-border cooperation between border regions. The research methodology is based on the principles of historicism, objectivity, and systematicity, combining general scientific and specialized methods (historical-comparative, chronological, and functional). This approach enabled the author to objectively analyze Ukrainian–Slovak relations during the specified period, taking into account the impact of the change in the political course of the Slovak government under R. Fico, as well as the activity of cross-border cooperation between Zakarpattia Oblast and the Košice and Prešov self-governing regions. The scientific novelty lies in a comprehensive analysis of Ukrainian–Slovak relations, which made it possible to trace the interconnection between the state and regional levels of cooperation between Ukraine and the Slovak Republic under the crisis conditions of the full-scale Russian–Ukrainian war. The mechanisms that enabled regional cooperation to compensate for the restrained political position of the Slovak government under R. Fico towards Ukraine in 2023–2025 and to ensure the implementation of humanitarian initiatives have been identified. Conclusions. Ukrainian-Slovak relations in 2022–2025 were influenced by the change of government in the Slovak Republic and the emergence of a policy of strategic balancing towards Ukraine. At the same time, regional cooperation between Ukraine and Slovakia remained at a high level, underscoring the importance of cross-border cooperation for the resilience of interstate relations in times of crisis.
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