Euractiv +
For individuals
Euractiv Pro
For corporations
Looking to access paid articles across multiple policy topics?
Interested in policy insights for EU professional organisations?
“Why on earth does it bother you that I want to honour the memory of people who died in the madness of fascism?”
News Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
“I have an eminent interest in attending the official celebrations of the victory over fascism, taking place on 9 May 2025 in Moscow,” Fico wrote in a second post, sharing an archive photo with Putin. [EPA/Alexander Zemlianichenko]
Languages: Deutsch
In a quick turn of events, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD/NI) revealed his phone call with US President-elect Donald Trump on Ukraine and wasted no time announcing that he had also accepted Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invitation to Moscow.
On Wednesday, Fico took to Facebook to share details of his conversation with future US President Trump, noting their shared challenges, including near-imprisonment and surviving assassination attempts, while also highlighting Europe’s “great expectations” of Trump on Ukraine.
“A significant part of our conversation focused on the war in Ukraine, with President Trump expressing interest in my perspective as Prime Minister of Slovakia, a country that borders Ukraine,” Fico wrote.
“I was very open in sharing the positions I have consistently held on this issue,” he added.
Fico, a notorious Ukraine-sceptic, often adopts pro-Russian rhetoric. He has advocated less military support for Kyiv, claiming it “only prolongs the conflict”. However, unlike Hungary’s Victor Orbán, Fico has not yet vetoed or blocked any EU aid to Ukraine.
Fico often justifies his foreign policy ambiguity with his commitment to a “policy of the four cardinal directions” – a strategy to balance Slovakia’s relations between East and West.
Apparently, he continued to follow this policy after the announcement of Trump’s call. Just 13 minutes later, Fico shared another Facebook post confirming his plans to make an official visit to Moscow next year – at the invitation of Putin himself.
Invitation by Putin? Accepted
“I have an eminent interest in attending the official celebrations of the victory over fascism, taking place on 9 May 2025 in Moscow,” Fico wrote in a second post, sharing an archive photo with Putin.
“With pleasure, I have accepted the official invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend these important celebrations,” he added, framing the visit as a tribute to the Red Army’s role in World War II.
Later, when journalists asked him about the potential damage the trip could do to the EU’s united stance on Russia, he shrugged off their concerns.
“Why on earth does it bother you that I want to honour the memory of people who died in the madness of fascism?” Fico replied.
The Slovak prime minister had previously spoken about his plans to visit Moscow, including in an interview with Russian state propaganda channel Rossiya 1 in October, making him the first EU leader to appear on Russian television since the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
“Let Fico stay in Russia”
Slovak opposition leader Michal Šimečka (PS/RE) noted that Fico’s trip to Moscow served three purposes: distract attention from his government’s troubles, improve his image through ties with authoritarian leaders, and mask his diplomatic isolation.
Opposition party SaS also condemned the decision, suggesting that Fico and his coalition partner Andrej Danko (SNS) should “pack up and stay in Moscow”.
“We can pay for their flights. Life in Slovakia will be much better without them here,” said the SaS.
Euractiv Slovakia also contacted the European Commission for comment but did not receive a response by the time of publication.
(Natália Silenská | Euractiv.sk)
Languages: Deutsch
Updated: 28-11-2024
Biden readies $725 million arms aid package for Ukraine
Russia’s plane shortage holds air travel back
Nordic, Baltic leaders agree to increase aid to Ukraine before Trump’s return
Romanian NGOs urge Commission to investigate TikTok amid presidential elections
Bulgarian court issues EU arrest warrant for ex-state bank chief
Brussels approves Poland’s defence-focused deficit reduction plan
Fico calls Trump, says yes to Putin’s Moscow invite
Spain’s Sánchez, Ribera blame Partido Popular for siding with EU far-right
Nuclear attack unlikely despite Putin’s warnings, US intelligence says
Italian opposition says government falling apart after split in European Parliament
Nordic, Baltic leaders agree to increase aid to Ukraine before Trump’s return
28/11/2024
4 min. read
Romanian NGOs urge Commission to investigate TikTok amid presidential elections
28/11/2024
3 min. read
Bulgarian court issues EU arrest warrant for ex-state bank chief
28/11/2024
3 min. read
Slovakia lacks vision, mature projects for decarbonisation, experts warn
19/11/2024
3 min. read
Slovakia’s Fico says his party must prepare for possible snap elections
18/11/2024
3 min. read
Slovak Interior Minister faces mounting pressure after police brutality incident
15/11/2024
3 min. read
