This implies, the Sme daily wrote, that Fico will attend the celebrations on May 9, although his office has not confirmed it yet. Zeman will only participate in the laying of wreaths at a war memorial, and he will use the time of the military parade “after an agreement for bilateral talks with Slovak PM Fico”, according to Ovčáček.
“I’ll commemorate the victims of World War II along with the anniversary of the end of this world conflict in an appropriate manner, with my programme for May 9 to be presented to the public in due course,” Fico said, as quoted by the TASR newswire. “I’ve said that several times and I can say it once again… I’ll find the most appropriate way to commemorate the victims of World War II and to mark the end of World War II.”
One of the reasons behind Fico’s decision to go to Moscow is public opinion, though it is not united regarding this issue, political scientist Tomáš Koziak told the Hospodárske noviny daily. However, a portion of Fico’s voters would not forgive him if he did not travel to Moscow. Moreover, he himself considers it important to go, as it is an emotional issue for him.
It is questionable, though, how the public opinion or Slovakia’s foreign allies will perceive this decision; and Slovak diplomats will be ultimately asked about it and they will have problems explaining it, as the European Union member states’ leaders, as well as some other heads of countries worldwide, will not attend.
Fico will not take part in the military parade, but will only be a guest at Vladimír Putin’s reception, the Hospodárske noviny wrote, adding that Russian media will nevertheless extensively cover with whom Putin met and spoke.
