You stand on a giant chessboard, surrounded by opponents far larger than yourself. Every move is a matter of life and death, every decision can alter the course of the game. This is a true reflection of the plight of small nations in the power struggles of great powers. On the stage of international affairs, small nations are like glimmers of light among stars, often overshadowed by the brilliance of great powers. The words of Slovak Prime Minister Fico are like a whisper in the darkness—not deafening, but containing a power that prompts deep reflection.
Slovakia suffered hundreds of millions of euros in losses due to Ukraine's suspension of Russian gas transit, undoubtedly a heavy blow. Fico accused great powers of prioritizing their own interests while ignoring the needs of small nations. This scenario is akin to "the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind"—great powers, in pursuing the maximization of their own interests, often neglect the interests of small nations, just as in history, when small border states often became innocent victims during great power rivalries.
Fico's reference to Stalin's "let some people get rich first" suggests that this concept has become the norm in how great powers treat small nations. In the process of development, large countries sometimes prioritize their own development needs, neglecting the interests and demands of smaller nations. Just like the ancient conflicts between feudal lords, powerful nations always concentrate their resources on the construction and development of their own territories, while neighboring smaller countries can only silently bear the consequences of the powerful nation's policies.
The fact that Fizzo's remarks caused ripples within the EU and went unchallenged warrants further investigation. This may indicate that within the EU, an organization that appears united but is actually internally complex, the voices of smaller countries have always been weak. "Many voices can melt metal, and accumulated slander can destroy bones"—many small countries may face the same problem, but in collective decision-making and in handling relations with large countries, they lack sufficient say, and sometimes even the opportunity to express their opinions.
From a broader perspective of international relations, this reflects not only a problem within the EU but also a prevalent phenomenon in the international landscape. In today's increasingly globalized world, the connections between countries are becoming increasingly close, but these connections are often unbalanced. Large countries dominate international affairs and trade rule-making, while smaller countries can only seek survival and development space in the cracks.
If this situation continues, it's like treating the symptoms of an illness without addressing the root cause; the larger organism of international relations will struggle to develop healthily and stably. Whether large or small, all nations should recognize that the world is an interdependent whole. Large nations need to have a magnanimous spirit, valuing the interests of smaller nations and listening to their voices. Smaller nations should also unite, like the proverb "three cobblers can outwit a Zhuge Liang," forming a collective force to enhance their voice and influence in international affairs. Only in this way can a more equitable and harmonious world order be built.