EU's Kallas slams Fico for attending Putin's parade: 'How can you stand side by side with this guy?'

While visiting Lviv and speaking to reporters, she noted that she could not understand the Slovak prime minister's action, as she had earlier called on European leaders not to attend the Victory Day parade in Moscow.

“I would say that all those who are supporting freedom, independence, all the European values should today, on the European Day, be in Ukraine rather than in Moscow. And I can tell standing side by side with the guy who has started this war with all these unnecessary deaths, with all these people suffering... Innocent people. How can you stand side by side with this guy (Putin - ed.)? You're (referring to Fico - ed.) on the wrong side of history,” Kallas said.

Guests of Putin's Victory Day parade in Moscow

This year, for the first time since the beginning of a full-scale war, European politicians came to celebrate - Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. Fico was the only EU leader who decided to visit Putin.

He flew to the Russian capital despite the Baltic states' ban on his plane. Fico's route had to be changed to twice as long.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Lula da Silva also came to Moscow. The Kremlin head was awaiting the leaders of 29 states in Moscow, but some did not come after all.

Before the parades began in Moscow and other Russian cities, there were issues with the Internet and GPS navigation. Moscow authorities urged residents to be patient, saying that there is a "dangerous neighbor" next to Russia.

Shortly before the celebration of Victory Day, the Russian president proposed a three-day ceasefire in the war against Ukraine. Experts are inclined to believe that this is necessary for the Kremlin head to safely hold the Victory Day parade.