Slovak PM's Moscow Visit Makes Him Symbol of Weak West in Russian Propaganda, Expert Warns

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico will travel to Moscow as the only European Union leader attending Russia's Victory Day celebrations, according to a Russian studies expert. Marek Příhoda, a specialist in Russian affairs, warned that even without participating in the military parade itself, Fico becomes part of the Kremlin's propaganda theater. The expert cautioned that Russian propaganda will use Fico's presence to portray him as a symbol of a weakened West. Fico leads Smer-SD, Slovakia's ruling social-democratic party, and has maintained closer ties with Russia compared to other EU leaders since the invasion of Ukraine began. His attendance at the Moscow celebrations would mark a significant diplomatic break with the broader European stance of isolating Russia over its military actions in Ukraine.