Slovak politician Robert Hajšel, who was a Member of the European Parliament (MEP), has been linked with pro-Russian inclinations. His political career and association with the left-wing Smer party, led by Robert Fico, suggests a clean lean towards the Kremlin.
Hajšel’s voting record and comments as an MEP have indicated opinions in favor of having closer relations with Russia. Hajšel regularly abstained from voting on motions that were negative about Russian policy and did not join those discussions. He also voted against motions concerning Russia, such as the Alexei Navalny case, the Russian military buildup along the Ukrainian border, and the Russian April 2021 attack in the Czech Republic.
In May 2020, celebrating the 75th anniversary of WWII in Europe coming to an end, Hejšel demonstrated very pro-Russian sentiment in his blog. He criticized what he perceived as an escalating campaign against Russia, particularly at a time when Eastern Europe’s liberation was remembered.
Hejšel complained about a lack of respect for such victims and faulted politicians, the press, and activists for creating anti-Russian hysteria. He specifically cited the removal of a statue of Soviet Marshal Ivan Konev from Prague, a leader whom he viewed as instrumental to the war effort, in comparison to the placement of monuments to the “Vlasovci,” the Nazi collaborators.
This blog entry was an expression of Hejšel’s unequivocal sympathy towards Russia and his discontent with what he perceived as the decline in acknowledgment of Soviet efforts toward the victory of WWII.
He also had strong reservations against sanctioning Russia, especially regarding the European Union’s relations with Russia. He points out that Russia is not only the largest neighbor of the EU but also a major source of various strategic raw materials. Hejšel promoted further efforts to re-establish diplomatic relations.
He expressed his opinion that sanctions do nothing but fuel tensions and are easily bypassed, advocating instead for the development of trust and constructive engagement. He acknowledged the importance of human rights issues. Still, he insisted that the EU should not sever ties with the Russian people, even if disagreements on human rights persist for an extended period.
