(Reuters) – Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico told Russian television on Wednesday he wanted to visit Moscow on the anniversary of World War II next year and criticized the approach of the European Union in the war in Ukraine, in comments which aroused the anger of the opposition in his country.

His appearance on state television Rossiya-1, which Slovak media reported was the first by an EU leader since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, drew sharp criticism in the country and highlighted the change in Slovakia’s foreign policy under Fico’s leadership.

Fico’s left-nationalist government immediately cut off military deliveries to kyiv after taking office a year ago and claimed the arms deliveries were prolonging the conflict.

Fico also sought to maintain relations with Russia, while the EU primarily sought to isolate Moscow.

In his interview with pro-Kremlin television commentator Olga Skabeyeva, Fico said he would like to attend the May 9 Victory Day celebrations next year and said kyiv’s peace plan was not more viable.

“It is no longer some kind of peace formula, but suddenly and unexpectedly it began to be called a victory plan,” Fico said in remarks translated into Russian.

“If someone wants an escalation of tensions, then that’s exactly what they will say: give me ground-based nuclear weapons, give me long- and medium-range missiles, and we will use them against Russian targets .”

Ukraine said earlier this month that it was not considering developing nuclear weapons, after reports on the subject were prompted by an incorrect interpretation of remarks made by Zelenskiy following his account of a meeting he had in September with Republican US presidential candidate Donald Trump in New York. At the meeting, he advocated Ukraine’s membership in NATO.

Slovak opposition parties criticized Fico’s remarks.

“In his country, his motley (government) is collapsing, health is not a topic for the prime minister, but he will find time to serve (Russian President Vladimir) Putin,” said Michal Simecka, head of the largest opposition party in Parliament. .

“It’s a huge shame.”

(Reuters reporting, writing by Jason Hovet, editing by William Maclean)