Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico visited Moscow ahead of Russia’s May 9 Victory Day events, laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier near the Kremlin walls, and described himself as the “black sheep” of the European Union for “supporting dialogue with Russia.”
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According to Denník N on May 9, Fico said he opposes what he described as a single mandatory political line within the EU while defending his decision to travel to Moscow despite criticism from European partners.
“In the European Union, there is always some black sheep. So I belong to that flock,” Fico said during remarks to journalists in Moscow. “I say this everywhere… I am against one mandatory opinion.”
According to Denník N, Fico said the visit was intended to honor Soviet soldiers who died during the liberation of Slovakia in World War II. He also stated that maintaining “normal relations” between Slovakia and Russia remains important for his government.
Fico said he planned to discuss “some practical issues” with Russian leader Vladimir Putin and deliver unspecified “messages” from several European politicians who had reportedly expressed interest in his visit.
The Slovak prime minister also reiterated his support for negotiations and ceasefire efforts aimed at ending Russia’s war against Ukraine. “I support every way of ceasefire,” Fico said, adding that he believes “we are approaching the end of the Russian-Ukrainian war,” according to Denník N.
Fico later stated that he would not participate in Russia’s military parade on May 9 but would still travel to Moscow to lay flowers at the memorial and meet with Putin.
The visit came shortly after a phone call between Fico and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. According to previous statements from the Slovak government, both sides discussed potential visits to Kyiv and Bratislava despite what Fico described as “different views on some issues.”
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