Sudden health issues raise questions ahead of May 9 Moscow parade
In a striking parallel to Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has abruptly canceled all official engagements due to an unexpected illness—just days after both leaders publicly confirmed plans to travel to Moscow on May 9 to pay tribute to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
This development comes after Vučić also cited health problems as the reason for cutting short a visit to the United States, where he was reportedly scheduled to meet with former U.S. President Donald Trump. The Serbian leader had recently affirmed he would not turn down an invitation to Moscow, noting that he had already promised Putin a visit.
Now, Fico appears to be following a similar path. According to Slovak media, he missed May Day celebrations and canceled a symbolic night shift in a bakery in the city of Nitra, where he was expected to show solidarity with workers.
“The work schedule of the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic, Robert Fico, has been canceled,” read a brief statement from the Slovak government agency on Wednesday, offering no additional information about his health.
The synchrony of these two leaders’ “sudden illnesses” raises speculation over whether the ailments are genuine health setbacks or strategic political maneuvering, perhaps intended to avoid the optics or consequences of standing beside Putin at the Victory Day military parade—an event laden with geopolitical significance amid Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
With May 9 fast approaching, the question now lingers: will both leaders recover in time to attend the Moscow event, or will these sudden health issues serve as a diplomatic exit from an increasingly controversial stage?
