Slovakia’s Prime Minister Visits Russia
Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico is going to attend a celebration in Moscow next May. He accepted an invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin to mark Victory Day, which honors the Soviet Union‘s victory over fascism and Nazi Germany in World War II.
Fico has made statements that are critical of Ukraine and supportive of Russia’s position on the war. He believes that restoring relations with Russia is important and has called for an end to military aid for Ukraine.
In a Facebook post, Fico said: “The Red Army and the nations of the former Soviet Union played an irreplaceable role in defeating fascism and the victory in World War II.” He also praised the legacy of the struggle against fascism and the historical truth about World War II.
This move by Fico is seen as a challenge to Western efforts to isolate Russia over its actions in Ukraine. Slovakia is part of both NATO and the European Union, making this visit significant.
The Kremlin uses Victory Day celebrations to showcase its military might and promote its propaganda. Putin has made false accusations against Ukraine’s government, calling it fascist and Nazi. Fico has echoed these claims, saying that the war in Ukraine started because of “Ukrainian fascists” killing Russian civilians.
Fico’s visit comes as tensions between Russia and the West remain high. His previous statements have been criticized by Ukraine, which sees him as a supporter of Russian propaganda.