What's happened
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico plans to attend the May 9 Victory Day parade in Moscow, despite EU concerns. Kaja Kallas, Estonia's Prime Minister, emphasized that participation in the event will not be taken lightly by EU member states, given Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine.
What's behind the headline?
Implications of Fico's Decision
- Political Isolation: Fico's attendance at the parade may further isolate Slovakia within the EU, as many member states oppose any form of engagement with Russia amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
- Domestic Backlash: His pro-Russian policies have already sparked protests in Slovakia, and this decision could intensify public dissent against his government.
- EU Relations: Kaja Kallas's remarks indicate a unified EU stance against participation in Russian celebrations, suggesting potential diplomatic repercussions for Slovakia.
- Symbolism of Victory Day: The parade is a significant event for Russia, used to project military strength. Fico's presence could be interpreted as tacit support for Russia's narrative in the conflict with Ukraine.
What the papers say
According to AP News, Kaja Kallas stated, "any participation in the 9th of May parades... will not be taken lightly on the European side." This sentiment is echoed in The Independent, which highlights Fico's assertion of sovereignty, stating, "Nobody can order me where to go or not to go." Politico adds that invitations have been extended to various leaders, emphasizing the geopolitical implications of such participation. The contrasting views from these sources illustrate the tension between Fico's pro-Russian stance and the broader EU consensus against Russia's actions.
How we got here
Fico, known for his pro-Russian stance, returned to power in Slovakia after his party won elections on an anti-American platform. His government has since halted military aid to Ukraine and criticized EU sanctions against Russia.
Go deeper
- What are the reactions in Slovakia to Fico's decision?
- How might this affect Slovakia's relationship with the EU?
- What is the significance of the Victory Day parade?
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
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Kaja Kallas is an Estonian politician and the prime minister of Estonia since 26 January 2021. She has been the leader of the Reform Party since 2018, and a member of Riigikogu since 2019, and previously from 2011 to 2014.
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The European Union is a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe. Its members have a combined area of 4,233,255.3 km² and an estimated total population of about 447 million.
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Robert Fico is a Slovak politician who served as Prime Minister of Slovakia from 2006 to 2010 and from 2012 to 2018. He has been the first leader of the Direction – Social Democracy party since 1999.
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Slovakia, officially the Slovak Republic, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is bordered by Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east, Hungary to the south, Austria to the southwest, and Czech Republic to the northwest.