**Slovak Prime Minister Fico Slams Ukrainian President Zelensky Over Victory Day Security Concerns**
In a surprise move, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has condemned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for warning foreign delegations not to attend Russia’s Victory Day parade on May 9. This comes as Ukraine has expressed concerns over the safety of foreign officials attending the event.
Zelensky had previously stated that Ukraine cannot guarantee the safety of foreign officials planning to attend Russia’s Victory Day parade, citing fears that Russia might orchestrate provocations and attempt to blame Ukraine. However, Fico rejected these threats, saying that Zelensky was mistaken in thinking they would deter foreign delegations.
**Fico Calls for an Armistice Amid World War II Anniversary**
The Slovak Prime Minister also called for an “armistice” amid the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. He criticized Zelensky’s comments as a disrespect to Russia, which he claimed had made the greatest contribution to victory over fascism and suffered the greatest sacrifices.
**Russia’s Victory Day Celebrations: A Source of Tension**
The Victory Day parade in Moscow is a highly militarized event that often serves to promote Russian nationalism. However, the EU and Ukraine have expressed concerns over the timing of the celebration, which coincides with Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.
EU leaders had previously warned European countries not to attend Russia’s Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, citing the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Despite this, some European leaders, including Slovak Prime Minister Fico, plan to attend the event.
**Ukraine Seeks to Counter Russia’s Celebration**
In response to Russia’s Victory Day parade, Ukraine has invited senior EU leaders and officials to Kyiv on May 9 to counter the celebration. The move is seen as an attempt by Ukraine to shift attention away from Russia’s military actions in Ukraine.
As the situation continues to unfold, tensions between Russia and Ukraine remain high. The EU’s stance on attending Victory Day celebrations in Moscow remains unclear, with some leaders opting not to attend despite EU warnings.
