Vladimir Putin & Robert Fico

Vladimir Putin: Vladimir Putin oversaw the scaled-back Victory Day parade, using the event to rally support for the war in Ukraine despite the absence of heavy military equipment. He also agreed to a ceasefire and prisoner exchange.

Robert Fico: Robert Fico, Prime Minister of Slovakia, was noted to be attending this year's Victory Day festivities, though he planned to stay away from the Red Square parade itself.

Vladimir Putin: Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, floated the idea of a ceasefire for Victory Day and has used the holiday to justify the war in Ukraine.

Robert Fico: Robert Fico, Prime Minister of Slovakia, attended last year's Victory Day parade and is expected to attend this year.

Vladimir Putin: Vladimir Putin, the Russian President, attended a parade in Moscow, which was noted by Friedrich Merz in the context of European security concerns.

Robert Fico: Robert Fico, the Slovakian Prime Minister, reportedly decided to attend a parade in Moscow, which was a point of discussion for Friedrich Merz.

Vladimir Putin: Vladimir Putin is mentioned as a leader with whom former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán fostered close ties.

Robert Fico: Robert Fico, a populist leader in Slovakia, is mentioned as an 'Orbán clone' whose return to power in 2023 received little media attention compared to Orbán's recent defeat.

Robert Fico: Robert Fico, the Slovak Prime Minister, congratulated Péter Magyar and praised Viktor Orbán, also raising concerns about the Druzhba pipeline, an issue relevant to energy security.