The Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, will be the only leader from the European Union to participate in the military parade organized by China on September 3 in Beijing to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II.
The event, which will bring together 26 heads of state and government, is expected to be a symbolic moment of closer ties between Russia, China, and North Korea.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un are also expected to attend. For Kim, this will be his first visit to China since 2019, according to South China Morning Post.
From Europe, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić is also expected to participate, as reported by Kiev Independent.
Fico's presence, known for his pro-Russian rhetoric and participation in the military parade in Moscow in May, diplomatically isolates him among EU leaders, especially as Russia continues its aggression against Ukraine.
Meanwhile, relations between Moscow, Beijing, and Pyongyang have strengthened amid the conflict in Ukraine. North Korea is considered the main ammunition supplier for Russia, and Ukrainian officials estimate that between 20,000 and 30,000 North Korean soldiers have been sent to the front lines in eastern Ukraine.
Putin's visit to China will last four days and will include extensive bilateral discussions with President Xi Jinping, amidst US diplomatic efforts to negotiate a potential resolution to end the war. The Kremlin has described the visit as "unprecedented," while Ukraine continues to await a concrete plan for security guarantees.