Merz slams Slovakian leader Fico's trip to Moscow's Victory Day

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Saturday lashed out at Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico's presence in Moscow during Russia's Victory Day Parade marking the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in 1945.

"Robert Fico knows that we are in disagreement. I deeply regret that, and we will talk to him about this day in Moscow," Merz told a joint press conference with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Stockholm.

Fico was the sole guest from the European Union to travel to Moscow, where a military parade is traditionally held on the Russian capital's Red Square on May 9 each year.

While not taking part in the parade itself, Fico laid a wreath at the grave of the unknown soldier in the wall of the Kremlin on Friday. His visit has met opposition in Slovakia and in the EU.

Merz was in Stockholm to attend the party conference of Kristersson's Moderate Party, a conservative political party and member of the European People's Party in the European Parliament, to which Merz's Christian Democratic Union also belongs.

"We are marking Europe Day in Stockholm today, and that is something entirely different," the German chancellor said.

Swedish media saw his appearance as the starting gun for Kristersson's campaign ahead of Swedish parliamentary elections on September 13.