Slovak PM to skip Moscow parade on Victory Day but still plans Russia trip

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has decided not to attend a military parade in Moscow on Victory Day, but he is not cancelling his trip to Russia. [Victory Day is a Russian holiday commemorating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in 1945, celebrated on 9 May – ed.]

Source: Denník N, an independent Slovak news outlet, citing Fico; European Pravda

Details: Fico said he still plans to be in Moscow on 9 May to lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Prior to that, on 6 or 7 May, he will travel to Munich to visit the former Dachau concentration camp.

Fico added that he also hopes to visit Normandy, where he plans to honour the memory of Allied soldiers.

Background:

• On 19 April, Robert Fico complained that Lithuania and Latvia said they would not allow his aircraft to pass through their airspace on his way to a military parade in Moscow on 9 May. Estonia later announced the same decision.
• The Slovak government then asked Poland for permission for Fico to fly to Moscow through Polish airspace.
• Last year, the Baltic states also refused to allow Fico's aircraft to cross their airspace en route to Moscow. The ban on overflying the Baltic states obliged Fico to take a southern route to Moscow via Hungary, Romania, the Black Sea, Georgia and Russia.
• Fico and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić were the only European leaders present as guests of Russian leader Vladimir Putin at the ceremonies in Moscow on 9 May last year.

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