Slovak PM Uses WWII Memorial for Political Speech, Omits Reference to Putin as War Instigator

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico delivered a politically charged speech at Slavín, Bratislava's main World War II memorial, while notably avoiding any mention of Vladimir Putin as the initiator of Europe's largest conflict since 1945. The memorial, which honors Soviet soldiers who died liberating Bratislava from Nazi forces, became a platform for political messaging as Fico used the solemn occasion to make broader geopolitical statements. Fico leads the ruling Smer-SD party, which has taken increasingly pro-Russian positions since returning to power. His omission of Putin's role in the ongoing Ukraine war reflects Slovakia's shift toward a more Moscow-friendly foreign policy stance, contrasting with the majority of European Union members who have strongly condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine.