Ukraine reacts to attempted assassination of Slovak premier Robert Fitzo

The corresponding messages were published on social network X.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky back the attack on Fitzo as a "horrifying act of violence".

We strongly condemn this act of violence against the head of government of a neighbouring partner state. Every effort must be made to ensure that violence does not become the norm in any country, in any form or sphere. We sincerely hope for a speedy recovery of Robert Fico and express solidarity with the people of Slovakia," Zelensky wrote.

Denys Shmygal added that the organisers of the attack on the Prime Minister of Slovakia should be punished. The Ukrainian prime minister also wished his colleague a speedy recovery and expressed words of support for Fico's relatives and the entire Slovak people.

What happened

Today, 15 May, the media reported on the filling on Robert Fitzo. It was reported that the Prime Minister of Slovakia was shot after a government retreat. The official is in hospital.

Police detained a man suspected of the attack. According to media reports Fitzo was shot by a 71-year-old man "with a short-barreled shotgun, which he was legally in possession of." However, no official statement on the identity of the detainee was made by the police.

A report of the attack was also published on Robert Fitzo's official Facebook account.

Today, an attempt was made on R. Fitzo's life. He suffered multiple injuries and is currently in a life-threatening condition. At the moment he is being transported by helicopter to Banska Bystrica, as it would take too long to get him to Bratislava, given the need for urgent intervention. Everything will be decided in the next few hours," the statement said.

Slovak President Zuzana Chaputova confirmed the information about the arrest of the alleged perpetrator and urged "not to jump to conclusions".