Fico Fires Back at Zelensky for ‘Threatening’ Bosses Attending Moscow Victory Parade

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico on Sunday criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for warning that Ukraine cannot ensure the safety of foreign leaders attending Russia’s May 9 Victory Day celebrations in Moscow.

Since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukrainian drones have hit several targets in the capital and elsewhere in Russia, which are hundreds of miles from the frontline.

Zelensky said on Saturday that Ukraine could not be held responsible for the safety of events on Russian territory during the holiday, including a military parade on Red Square attended by dozens of foreign dignitaries.

Fico, one of EU’s most Russia-friendly leaders, called the Ukrainian president’s remarks a threat to heads of state and government.

“This is not how things are done,” he told a press conference. “I reject such threats on security grounds... if Mr Zelensky thinks that his outbursts will deter foreign delegations from attending, he is deeply mistaken.”

Kyiv has accused Moscow of using a proposed May 8–11 ceasefire as cover for the celebrations, dismissing it as a “theatrical performance.”

Fico said the truce should have been accepted as the occasion marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two. He told reporters that Zelensky’s comments “deeply disrespectful” towards Russia, a country that he said had made the “greatest contribution to the victory over fascism.”

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“And if one doesn’t want to offer congratulations on the end of the Second World War, then at least remain silent,” the prime minister said.

Diplomatic tensions

The event has drawn fresh diplomatic tensions as the war in Ukraine continues, with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urging European leaders last month not to attend the Moscow events.

Last month, Fico also rebuked Kallas for her remarks, saying: “I would like to inform you that I am the legitimate prime minister of Slovakia, a sovereign country.

“Nobody can order me where to go or not to go.”

This would not be the first time the Slovak PM visits Kremlin in a show of diplomatic goodwill.

Fico last year shocked European politicians by going to Russia for an in-person meeting with President Vladimir Putin during which he discussed potential gas deals.