Screenshot of a video posted by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico on X platform

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who is visiting China for commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, said he considers that "it's a great mistake" that heads of state and prime ministers of the EU member states ignored China's V-day celebrations. 

In a video posted on X platform on Thursday, Fico said "some may have interpreted it as a demonstration of China's military power, but it should be viewed in the context of the serious statements made by Chinese President Xi." 

The Chinese president made it very clear that the world is facing a choice between peace and war, and that China has the will to play a decisive role in shaping the new peaceful order of the world, Fico said. 

In any case, it's true that even the most ideological opponents of China can no longer deny the all-round development that China has achieved, he noted. 

"I once again express my regret that the top representatives of the EU member states were absent from such a global event. If they thought that by doing so they would isolate China's celebrations of victory in the WWII, they badly miscalculated, because if anyone was isolated today, it was the EU," Fico said. 

"It still holds true that, as the prime minister of a sovereign state, no one will dictate to me where I can and cannot travel," the Slovak Prime Minister said. 

Fico arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for the commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

A number of foreign leaders attending the grand V-Day commemorations in Beijing on Wednesday, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar lbrahim, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, have praised the successful hosting of the event and highlighted the enduring friendship with China after the parade.