In Slovakia, schoolboy did not shake President's hand because he does not agree with his policy on Ukraine

A Slovak schoolboy, the winner of the mathematics Olympiad, refused to shake the hand of the country's President, Peter Pellegrini, because he does not agree with his decisions, in particular, regarding Ukraine. At the ceremony, the schoolboy wore a yellow-and-blue ribbon.

This is reported by ta3 and Denník N.

During the award ceremony for Slovak students who won gold, silver and bronze medals at international subject Olympiads, the winner of the mathematics Olympiad, Simon Omaník, went to collect his award, but did not shake Pellegrini's hand. He came to the event with a yellow-and-blue ribbon on his jacket.

"In addition to the evergreen populist promises of cheap food and cheap gas, which populists repeat at every election, he also accused his opponent that he would send us to war in Ukraine. […] It was a lie and an attack on the lowest human instincts of fear, and in some parts of the Slovak population, perhaps anti-Ukrainian feelings. And I don't think it would be right to shake hands with such a person or communicate with him, because I categorically disagree with him and believe that he is a swindler and a liar," the schoolboy said after his gesture was caught on video.

After the incident, Pellegrini said: "I can't do anything, but treat him with respect."

At the same time, he said that decency and upbringing have always prompted him to shake hands with everyone, including political opponents.

The Minister of Education, who was also present at the event, said that he was "sorry" about the incident.

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, in Slovakia, opposition parties in parliament intend to initiate a vote of no confidence in the government of Prime Minister Robert Fico.

On December 22, 2024, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico visited russia, where he met with russian dictator vladimir putin.

He later stated that his visit to Moscow was a response to Ukraine's refusal to continue the transit of russian gas to Europe.

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, on December 23, an anti-government rally was held on the streets of Bratislava due to Fico's visit to Moscow.

And on December 27, it became known that the Prosecutor General's Office of Slovakia will consider a complaint by a public association filed in response to Fico's trip to Moscow.