The spy, who was working as a diplomat in the Russian embassy in Bratislava, was expelled last month. Slovak Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini said: “Based on data provided by military intelligence, the diplomat, who worked for the mission’s military attache, was expelled on November 22, 2018. He was declared persona non grata for engaging in intelligence activities against Slovakia and NATO. We have established standard relations with Russia.”
Mr Pellegrini said Slovakia strictly abides by its commitments to NATO and the EU.
The Russian Embassy declined to comment on Mr Pellegrini’s statements.
Vladislav Kulikov, a spokesman for the Russian mission in Slovakia, said: “The Embassy doesn’t comment on this information.”
Tensions between Moscow and Bratislava have grown in recent weeks over Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine which has a border with Slovakia.
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The latest crisis in the troubled Crimean region began when Russian special forces opened fire on three Ukrainian naval vessels before seizing them and capturing their 24 crewmen.
Mr Pellegrini said his country did not face any immediate risks related to the Black Sea crisis but said it was prepared to react if provoked.
The Prime Miniser said Slovakia’s National Security Analytical Centre has decided to keep threat level two in place and had explored various scenarios, particularly efforts of illegal crossing of the Slovak-Ukrainian border.
Speaking after an extraordinary session of the National Security Analytical Centre he said: “I want to guarantee that all forces and state security bodies are ready and in case there’s an escalation of tension, Slovakia will be prepared.
“We hope a diplomatic solution will be employed, yet it is our duty not to underestimate any risk.”
Defence Minister Peter Gajdos said the situation in Ukraine was being continuously assessed by the military intelligence services.
Mr Pellegrini also commented on the issue of more stringent sanctions against Russia.
He said Slovakia gravitated towards the view that sanctions fall short in their desired effect but would respect any agreements made at EU level.
Mr Pellegrino’s comments came after NATO said it was beefing up its military deployments across eastern Europe amid fears of Russia’s “destabilising” behaviour in the Black Sea.
Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg blamed Moscow for soaring global tensions and confirmed the biggest defensive operation since the Cold War was underway.
Speaking at a summit in Brussels he said: “NATO has implemented the biggest reinforcement of our collective defence since the end of the Cold War, with higher readiness of our armed forces, with combat battalions in the eastern part of the Alliance.
“Allies are also now investing more in defence.
“NATO allies are strengthening our collective defence as a direct response to what we have seen Russia has done against Ukraine.”