NATO Member Nation's Prime Minister to Visit Russia for Victory Day
Slovakia’s Robert Fico asserts that no one can “stop” him from traveling to Moscow to commemorate the 80th anniversary of victory in Europe. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced plans to travel to Moscow to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany. During an appearance on the ‘Saturday Dialogues’ program on Slovakia’s RTVS radio, he emphasized that the celebration should be disconnected from contemporary conflicts.
“Who will stop me next year, when it will be the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, from going to a peaceful demonstration in Moscow? I think I will go. And why wouldn’t I go? What does it have to do with the present time?” Fico remarked in response to the host's inquiry about his possible participation.
Fico highlighted the historical significance of the event, asserting the importance of remembering that “freedom came from the East,” a reference to the Soviet Army's liberation of Slovakia from Nazi control in 1945. He also expressed confusion over Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia, indicating that he has previously communicated to Ukrainian officials his lack of understanding regarding their sustained military efforts.
Since resuming office in 2023, Fico has halted arms deliveries from Slovakia to Ukraine and has consistently advocated for a diplomatic approach to resolving the conflict. He pledged at a recent press conference to exert all efforts toward restoring relations with Moscow once the fighting concludes.
In earlier comments, Fico criticized Western countries for addressing the atrocities of the Third Reich while ignoring instances of Ukrainian troops displaying Nazi symbols. During a speech at the site of the former Sered concentration camp in western Slovakia, he urged the international community to cease "silently tolerating" the use of Nazi insignia by Ukrainian forces.
Moscow has sought to highlight what it perceives as a rise in Nazi ideology within the Ukrainian populace, making "denazification" a key objective of its military campaign initiated in February 2022.
Russian Security Council deputy chairman Dmitry Medvedev accused Western nations earlier this year of fostering modern-day Nazi elements by supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. Additionally, Russian President Vladimir Putin has recently criticized the West for "forgetting the lessons of World War II" and "mocking history" by justifying the actions of contemporary Nazi sympathizers.
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
“Who will stop me next year, when it will be the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, from going to a peaceful demonstration in Moscow? I think I will go. And why wouldn’t I go? What does it have to do with the present time?” Fico remarked in response to the host's inquiry about his possible participation.
Fico highlighted the historical significance of the event, asserting the importance of remembering that “freedom came from the East,” a reference to the Soviet Army's liberation of Slovakia from Nazi control in 1945. He also expressed confusion over Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia, indicating that he has previously communicated to Ukrainian officials his lack of understanding regarding their sustained military efforts.
Since resuming office in 2023, Fico has halted arms deliveries from Slovakia to Ukraine and has consistently advocated for a diplomatic approach to resolving the conflict. He pledged at a recent press conference to exert all efforts toward restoring relations with Moscow once the fighting concludes.
In earlier comments, Fico criticized Western countries for addressing the atrocities of the Third Reich while ignoring instances of Ukrainian troops displaying Nazi symbols. During a speech at the site of the former Sered concentration camp in western Slovakia, he urged the international community to cease "silently tolerating" the use of Nazi insignia by Ukrainian forces.
Moscow has sought to highlight what it perceives as a rise in Nazi ideology within the Ukrainian populace, making "denazification" a key objective of its military campaign initiated in February 2022.
Russian Security Council deputy chairman Dmitry Medvedev accused Western nations earlier this year of fostering modern-day Nazi elements by supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. Additionally, Russian President Vladimir Putin has recently criticized the West for "forgetting the lessons of World War II" and "mocking history" by justifying the actions of contemporary Nazi sympathizers.
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
