Slovak PM Fico leaves EU summit early to back Vučić at Novi Sad rally

Slovak PM Robert Fico cut short his EU summit participation to attend a rally in Novi Sad supporting Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, a move that signals deepening illiberal alignment between Bratislava and Belgrade. The early departure from an EU summit to back a non-EU leader is a notable deviation from standard EU diplomatic practice, underscoring Fico's pro-Russian, anti-EU-integration stance. The gesture may strain EU-Serbia relations and reinforce divisions within the bloc over engagement with the Western Balkans.