Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) has become the first political leader of a EU and NATO country to appear on Russian presenter Olga Skabeyeva's propaganda program "60 Minutes" since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The program aired on the state-owned channel Rossiya 1. In the interview, Fico criticized European nations for supporting Ukraine, claiming they are merely prolonging a conflict that, in his view, has lost its significance after three years. He stated that while the EU sends arms and funds to Ukraine, it ultimately wishes to disengage from this war.
Skabeyeva invited the Slovak prime minister to the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, to which Fico responded that it would be an honor to attend the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, particularly to commemorate the victory over fascism. He considers it "his personal duty" to express gratitude to the soldiers of the Red Army.
At a press conference following a cabinet meeting on Wednesday (October 30), Fico confirmed that he would accept an invitation to the Moscow celebrations next year. "I will go there because there is a lot to thank the soldiers of the Red Army for. I will do it because I think it is our moral duty," he declared.
Skabeyeva announced the interview with Fico in advance on her social media account, describing it as an exclusive conversation with a politician who had survived an assassination attempt related to his stance on Ukraine.
Fico faced criticism for appearing on Rossiya 1 from British Ambassador to Slovakia Nigel Baker, who expressed regret that the prime minister agreed to speak with Skabayeva, a person on the sanctions lists of both the UK and EU. He also challenged Fico's claim that the West is uninterested in peace, stating that they support President Zelenskyy’s Peace Plan.
The speaker of the Czech parliament, Czech Deputy Prime Minister Vlastimil Válek, and Czech MEP Danuše Nerudová also criticized Fico for the interview.
Source: STVR
