Overview

• Robert Fico traveled to Moscow via a lengthy detour after Baltic nations closed their airspace to his flight, citing opposition to his attendance at Russia's Victory Day parade.
• Fico shook hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin and participated in bilateral meetings before the military parade on Red Square.
• The Slovak leader's decision to attend has drawn sharp criticism from EU officials, who view the move as undermining solidarity with Ukraine during the ongoing conflict.
• Domestically, Fico faces growing protests from Slovaks who oppose his pro-Russian policies, with demonstrators rallying under the slogan 'Slovakia is Europe.'
• Since taking office in 2023, Fico has halted military aid to Ukraine, strengthened ties with Moscow, and eased restrictions on pro-Kremlin media, raising concerns over Slovakia's role in EU decision-making.