Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has defended his decision to visit the Russian capital for Victory Day commemorations, labeling himself a “black sheep” for defying the EU’s unified stance against the Kremlin.
Speaking in Moscow on Friday, May 8, Fico addressed the diplomatic friction caused by his trip. “In the EU, there is always some black sheep. So I belong to this flock,” Fico said, according to Denník N.
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“I say this everywhere… I am against any one mandatory opinion.”
After laying flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier near the Kremlin, Fico noted that he intended to ask Russian President Vladimir Putin several questions and deliver “certain messages” from other European politicians. He added that “many people were interested” in his journey to the Russian capital.
Fico, a longtime opponent of military aid to Ukraine, emphasized his support for dialogue and negotiations as the primary way to end the war. He expressed hope that the conflict is nearing its conclusion and stated his support for any form of ceasefire.
A scaled-down Victory Day
Fico’s presence in Moscow comes as the Kremlin tightened control over the May 9 celebrations. In a move unprecedented in recent years, Russian authorities revoked the accreditation of major foreign media outlets, including AFP, Sky News, and the BBC, leaving coverage almost exclusively to Russian state media.
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The 2026 parade on Red Square is expected to be a significantly diminished affair. The event is expected to feature only marching units, without the traditional display of heavy military hardware. Attendance has dwindled compared to previous years. Alongside Fico, only Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, the King of Malaysia, and the President of Laos are among the few foreign heads of state expected.
At least 15 Russian regions and occupied Crimea have canceled their own parades due to security concerns, while Moscow residents have been warned of potential mobile internet and SMS outages.
Diplomatic fallout and forgiveness
Fico’s trip faced immediate pushback from neighbors. Poland and the Baltic states refused to let his aircraft enter their airspace, forcing the prime minister to fly through the Czech Republic.
However, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski suggested that Warsaw might “forgive” the visit if Fico stops blocking critical EU aid to Kyiv. “If he unblocks aid to Ukraine but also goes to Russia, maybe we can forgive him,” Sikorski said, referring to a crucial €90 billion loan package currently being debated.
Just days earlier, Fico met with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Yerevan, where he reportedly assured the president that Bratislava would not stand in the way of Kyiv’s EU membership bid.