Slovakia’s populist Prime Minister Robert Fico responded madly Tuesday to what he called “ill-mannered” remarks by the European Union diplomacy chief who alerted European leaders versus taking a trip to Moscow for military events of completion of The second world war.
Understood for his pro-Russian views, Fico has actually consistently sworn to participate in the military parade in the Russian capital on May 9 that will mark the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat in WW II.
Kaja Kallas informed press reporters in Luxembourg on Monday after a conference of EU foreign ministers that “what was likewise gone over and really plainly stated by various member states is that any involvement in the 9th of May parades, or events, in Moscow will not be ignored on the European side, thinking about that Russia is actually waging a full-blown war in Europe.”
Kallas likewise stated that “We made it really clear that we do not desire any prospect nation to take part in these occasions on the 9th of May in Moscow” and contacted the member mentions to send their agents to the capital of Kyiv rather to reveal uniformity with Ukraine.
” I will go to Moscow on May 9,” Fico stated in a declaration.
” Mrs. Kallas, I wish to notify you that I am a genuine premier of Slovakia, a sovereign nation,” he stated. “No one can buy me where to go or not to go.”
Fico stated he will take a trip to Moscow to honor the Red Army soldiers who freed his nation and other victims of the Nazis.
The Kremlin has actually utilized the yearly “Success Day” events to promote its battleground expertise, and Putin hailed Russian soldiers battling in Ukraine as “heroes” at last year’s occasion.
Fico’s views on Russia’s war on Ukraine vary dramatically from the majority of other European leaders. The Slovakian prime minister went back to power in 2015 after his leftist celebration Smer (Instructions) won parliamentary elections on a pro-Russia and anti-American platform. Ever since, he has actually ended his nation’s military help for Ukraine, blasted EU sanctions on Russia, and swore to obstruct Ukraine from signing up with NATO.
Unlike lots of Western political leaders, Fico has actually not gone to Kyiv because the start of the Russian full-blown intrusion more than 3 years earlier.
His federal government has actually dealt with singing demonstrations versus its pro-Russian position and other policies.