Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, making him the only leader of an EU member state to attend Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, according to The Slovak Spectator.
Erik Kaliňák, head of Fico’s advisory team and an MEP, confirmed that “the bilateral meeting is on the table.” The two leaders are expected to discuss bilateral and international issues, including the war in Ukraine.
Fico’s visit, his second since returning to power, caused diplomatic tensions within the EU. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski criticised the trip, calling it “not a good idea.” However, Warsaw approved the route of the Slovak government plane despite criticism of the Moscow visit.
Robert Fico will join nearly thirty foreign leaders, including China’s Xi Jinping and Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, at the 9 May commemoration marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
The Slovak leader labelled his visit a response to what he calls the “new Iron Curtain” dividing Europe.
I am among normal people. We know who brought freedom here. That freedom came from the East.
