Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has confirmed he will attend the Russian Victory Day celebrations in Moscow on May 9, 2025. He made this announcement on Facebook after accepting an invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
This comes as no surprise given Slovakia’s recent moves to strengthen ties with Russia. The country‘s foreign policy has shifted towards closer relations with non-Western countries, especially Russia and China. This shift became more pronounced since the start of the Ukraine crisis in 2014 and 2022.
Slovakia honors the anniversaries related to its liberation by the Red Army during World War II. Prime Minister Fico stated that his government values the historical truth about WWII and the role played by the Red Army. He also announced plans for a series of events in Slovakia commemorating the victory over fascism, culminating in May celebrations.
Fico’s decision follows an interview he gave to Russian TV program “60 Minutes” where he expressed his desire to visit Moscow on Victory Day. This invitation comes as Fico has been advocating for restoring normal relations with Russia after the Ukrainian conflict. However, he also assured that Slovakia will “carefully maintain friendly relations with Ukraine”.
The Prime Minister of Slovakia has taken a contradictory stance regarding support for Ukraine amidst the ongoing war with Russia. He has expressed skepticism towards Western military aid and a cautious approach to maintaining relations with Ukraine.