Slovak PM Fico stirs EU tension with planned Moscow visit

On Slovak television, Robert Fico stated that he would attend ceremonies dedicated to the Soviet military's Carpathian-Dukla Operation of 1944 on Sunday. He intends to "show that he does not forget that freedom came from the East."

The Prime Minister of Slovakia also revealed plans to visit Moscow in May 2025 for the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. "Who will stop me from attending a peace rally?" Fico asked.

Fico's announcement might cause unease in the European Union. Since February 2022, Russia has been embroiled in the conflict with Ukraine, becoming isolated on the international stage. However, in recent months, Vladimir Putin has found quiet allies, including Hungary and Slovakia.

In an interview on Slovak television, Fico addressed the ongoing war in Ukraine. He disclosed that he continually questions Ukrainians about "why they keep killing each other with the Russians." "We are where we were two years ago. The Russians have more territorial gains. We have hundreds of thousands of dead soldiers. And there is no military solution in sight," he added.

The head of the Slovak government remarked that every war ends through negotiations and emphasized that he will work to ensure that, post-peace, his country maintains normal relations with Russia.

Fico's remarks came as Slovakia and Ukraine are preparing for a joint session of their governments. At this meeting, he is expected to address the importance of maintaining oil and gas transit through Ukrainian territory.

The Prime Minister assured that Slovakia fully supports Ukraine's entry into the European Union, and he expects Kyiv to act "normally and reasonably" regarding its transit infrastructure.

Fico also commented on the upcoming presidential elections in the United States. He expressed the opinion that Ukraine would benefit from Donald Trump winning, as his presidency might increase the chances of ending the war.