This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/news/605666-slovak-mep-visit-russia-apologize/
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| EU lawmaker visits Moscow to ‘apologize for Western Russophobia’ (VIDEO) | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| “We do not want our children to die in a nuclear war,” Lubos Blaha has said | “We do not want our children to die in a nuclear war,” Lubos Blaha has said |
| Slovak MEP Lubos Blaha visited Moscow over the weekend to thank Russia for liberating his country from fascism in World War II and to apologize for the “growing Russophobia” in the EU and the US. | Slovak MEP Lubos Blaha visited Moscow over the weekend to thank Russia for liberating his country from fascism in World War II and to apologize for the “growing Russophobia” in the EU and the US. |
| Blaha, a member of Prime Minister Robert Fico’s Social Democratic SMER-SD party, published a video of himself visiting Red Square and laying flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier near the Kremlin wall and at the monument to Soviet Marshal Georgy Zhukov. | Blaha, a member of Prime Minister Robert Fico’s Social Democratic SMER-SD party, published a video of himself visiting Red Square and laying flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier near the Kremlin wall and at the monument to Soviet Marshal Georgy Zhukov. |
| “I came… as a friend of Russia because I can no longer look at the growing Russophobia in the West,” Blaha said in a video published on Telegram. The Russian people have made “incredible sacrifices” to liberate Slovakia, he added. | “I came… as a friend of Russia because I can no longer look at the growing Russophobia in the West,” Blaha said in a video published on Telegram. The Russian people have made “incredible sacrifices” to liberate Slovakia, he added. |
| Blaha said he wanted to apologize for the “belligerent, hateful, and virtually fascist resolutions adopted by the EU Parliament against Russia.” He insisted that Slovaks will “never be forced to hate the Russian people,” and that he rejects the Western weapons deliveries to Kiev, the sanctions on Moscow, and further escalations of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. | Blaha said he wanted to apologize for the “belligerent, hateful, and virtually fascist resolutions adopted by the EU Parliament against Russia.” He insisted that Slovaks will “never be forced to hate the Russian people,” and that he rejects the Western weapons deliveries to Kiev, the sanctions on Moscow, and further escalations of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. |
| “We do not want our children to die in a nuclear war. Slovaks want peace!” Blaha said, adding that Russians are seen as “friendly people” in Slovakia and it “will never be otherwise.” The MEP also called for dialogue with Moscow and an end to the “hatred of Russia.” | “We do not want our children to die in a nuclear war. Slovaks want peace!” Blaha said, adding that Russians are seen as “friendly people” in Slovakia and it “will never be otherwise.” The MEP also called for dialogue with Moscow and an end to the “hatred of Russia.” |
| The MEP was also scheduled to deliver a lecture at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) attended by Slovak students. | The MEP was also scheduled to deliver a lecture at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) attended by Slovak students. |
| Blaha was elected to the EU Parliament this summer. According to the Slovak Standard news outlet, he was the second most popular MEP candidate in the country. Before joining the EU Parliament, he was a member of the national parliament from 2012 and was vice chairman from 2023. | Blaha was elected to the EU Parliament this summer. According to the Slovak Standard news outlet, he was the second most popular MEP candidate in the country. Before joining the EU Parliament, he was a member of the national parliament from 2012 and was vice chairman from 2023. |
| He is known for his sympathy toward Russia and criticism of the EU and US. The Standard describes him as the “most pro-Russian politician in Slovakia.” Blaha has attracted controversy online over his outspoken rhetoric on social media. | He is known for his sympathy toward Russia and criticism of the EU and US. The Standard describes him as the “most pro-Russian politician in Slovakia.” Blaha has attracted controversy online over his outspoken rhetoric on social media. |
| Earlier, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced plans to visit Moscow to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. Fico said he would not let anyone forget that “freedom came from the East,” referring to the liberation of Slovakia from Nazi occupation by the Soviet Army in 1945. He also criticized the West for turning a blind eye to Ukrainian troops using Nazi symbols. | Earlier, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced plans to visit Moscow to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. Fico said he would not let anyone forget that “freedom came from the East,” referring to the liberation of Slovakia from Nazi occupation by the Soviet Army in 1945. He also criticized the West for turning a blind eye to Ukrainian troops using Nazi symbols. |