Slovakia’s Fico says he was targeted for Ukraine views, in first speech since assassination attempt

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — Slovakia’s populist Prime Minister Robert Fico says he believes he was targeted for having a Ukraine position contrary to the European mainstream but bears no malice toward the gunman who seriously wounded him three weeks ago. The prerecorded speech posted online Wednesday by Fico, who opposes military aid to Ukraine, was his first appearance since the assassination attempt and came just days ahead of his country’s polling Saturday in European Parliament elections. Fico, who took office last fall after campaigning on a pro-Russian and anti-American platform, has been recovering from multiple wounds after being shot in the abdomen as he greeted supporters on May 15 in the town of Handlova. The assailant has been arrested, but not named by authorities