Bratislava – On Monday, Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) announced via social media that he will engage in bilateral discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and other leaders during his upcoming visit to Beijing. He confirmed that he has notified EU representatives about this trip and mentioned that upon his return from China, he will travel to eastern Slovakia for a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday, September 5.
“If there’s an opportunity to meet with global leaders in Beijing, aside from paying tribute to war victims, it should be seized. The heads of state attending represent billions of people, and they have perspectives that must be acknowledged and respected,” stated Robert Fico, emphasizing that EU representatives were promptly informed about his plans.
He also mentioned that Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár (Smer-SD) communicated essential details with European diplomacy head Kaja Kallas.
The Slovak government clarified that the Prime Minister will leave for China on Monday evening, meeting with Putin on Tuesday, September 2. He will partake in the 80th anniversary celebrations marking the end of World War II on Wednesday, September 3, where he will lay a wreath at the Heroes’ Monument in Tiananmen Square to honor war victims.
“On Thursday, September 4, Robert Fico will hold talks with President Xi Jinping and Chinese Vice President Han Zheng,” according to the government’s press and information department.
Fico expressed disappointment over Slovakia being the only EU member state represented in Beijing, stating, “A new world order is emerging, with new multipolar rules and a new power balance crucial for global stability. Participating in these discussions supports dialogue rather than adopting a childish sulking attitude, as is the current behavior of the EU and its representatives.”
He justified his trip by referring to the Slovak Constitution, which emphasizes the responsibility of Slovak politicians to pursue lasting peaceful cooperation with other democratic nations. He reiterated his commitment to a sovereign foreign policy that values respect for international law and obligations. Fico accepted the invitation to the World War II anniversary celebrations in China to honor all victims of the fight against fascism.
The Prime Minister will also attend a military parade in Beijing on Wednesday commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Asia. Meanwhile, President Putin is expected to meet with Fico at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin, China, on September 1.
“A new world order is being created, new rules of a multipolar world, a new balance of power, which is extremely important for stability in the world. Being part of such discussions means supporting dialogue and not acting like a sulking little child. This is how the EU and its representatives behave today.” Robert Fico
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