Slovak schoolboy with Ukrainian symbols on clothing refused to shake hands with the president of his country.

Awarding of the winners of the math olympiad

On January 13, a ceremony took place in Slovakia to award the winners of the math olympiad. High school students received awards from Education Minister Tomas Drucker. One of the participants, Simon Omanik, refused to shake hands with the President of Slovakia, Peter Pellegrini, while wearing Ukrainian symbols on his clothing.

Did you catch this? That guy is a champ in my book pic.twitterp_lockquote> — Jakub Bajzath  (@BajzathJakub) January 13, 2025

The student, who won a bronze medal at the Central European Math Olympiad, came to the presidential palace adorned with a yellow-blue ribbon. When President Pellegrini extended his hand for a greeting, the boy refused to shake it.

Simon Omanik explained his refusal to the Slovak publication Dennik N. He accused the president of winning the election through deceit and lies, particularly by using the theme of the war in Ukraine.

It is worth noting that Slovakia has not provided military assistance to Ukraine in its confrontation with Russia. Its leaders argue that Kyiv and Moscow should sit down for negotiations.

President Pellegrini stated that Ukraine and Russia should immediately start peace negotiations. He expressed the view that partial territorial concessions to Ukraine may be needed to achieve peace.

The president also rejected the appeals of four citizens who wanted to join the Ukrainian army. Earlier, he had already offered Bratislava as a venue for peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico also opposed Ukraine's NATO membership and expressed the view that reconciliation with Russia after the war is possible, arguing that Ukraine's membership in the alliance could lead to a global conflict.