Top Slovak officials gathered on Thursday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, honouring the soldiers who helped liberate Slovak territory. The national remembrance ceremony took place at the military airport in Piešťany, drawing over 15,000 visitors.
President Peter Pellegrini, Speaker of Parliament Richard Raši, Prime Minister Robert Fico, and other senior government and parliamentary representatives laid wreaths at the monument dedicated to fallen Romanian soldiers.
In his speech, President Pellegrini emphasized the critical role of both the Romanian and Soviet Red Armies in liberating what is now the Slovak Republic. He warned against distorting historical truths and underlined the importance of preserving historical memory: "The sacrifice made by Soviet soldiers will not be diminished by current events,” he said, adding that younger generations must be educated to resist the resurgence of fascist ideologies. “In these uncertain times, small nations like Slovakia face heightened risks. We must carefully consider who guarantees our security and stands by us in difficult times.”
Parliamentary Speaker Richard Raši echoed this message, stressing the fragility of freedom: “It is hard to gain and easy to lose.”
Prime Minister Fico took a firm stance against neutrality in global conflicts: “Slovakia has always stood against fascism,” he stated, defending his decision to attend the May 9 Victory Day parade in Moscow — a move that makes him the only EU leader to do so. “The new Iron Curtain is not about being banned from flying east; it's about senseless decisions, such as halting the flow of nuclear energy from East,” he claimed.
The opposition criticized Prime Minister Fico’s planned trip to Moscow, accusing him of aligning with Russian President Vladimir Putin. They warned that Fico is undermining Slovakia’s international credibility by cooperating with a leader widely regarded as a war criminal for Russia’s continued aggression against Ukraine, which has resulted in years of civilian casualties.
The event was organized by the Ministry of Defence and featured a wide-ranging accompanying program, including military displays and cultural performances.
Source: RSI
