Slovakia’s Fico Keeps Putin Promise by Inaugurating Largest Red Army Cemetery

War Cemetery Unveiled

According to Главком: Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has officially opened a renovated military burial ground for Red Army soldiers, fulfilling a pledge he made to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The site, the largest of its kind in Slovakia, holds the remains of over 17,000 Soviet troops. Funding for the restoration was provided jointly with the Russian embassy.

Just under three weeks ago, Fico traveled to Moscow for the May 9 Victory Day celebrations-making him the only EU leader to attend. During that visit, he laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier near the Kremlin. He later described himself as feeling like a 'black sheep' in the European Union because of the trip, while also calling his presence at the event a great honor.

Maintaining Soviet Graves

The prime minister has also pledged continued upkeep of dozens of other Soviet war cemeteries across Slovakia as a gesture of gratitude for liberation from Nazism. He argued that a new iron curtain is reportedly forming in Europe. Fico’s aircraft encountered difficulties after Baltic states refused to allow it through their airspace, but that did not stop him from carrying out his commitment.

The cemetery’s opening underscores Fico’s distinctive push for closer ties with Russia, a stance that has raised concerns among Slovakia’s European partners. Against the backdrop of rising tensions between Russia and Western nations, the Slovak premier’s actions could further isolate his country within the EU. Domestically, these moves may also stir debate, as issues of historical memory and attitudes toward Russia have long been points of contention in Slovak politics.

Fico's recent inauguration of the Red Army cemetery aligns with his ongoing diplomatic engagement with Russia, which began with his recent visit to Moscow for talks with Putin. This visit not only reinforced his commitment to honoring Soviet history but also highlighted his unique position within the EU, raising questions about Slovakia's future relations with its European partners.