Slovak MEP calls Zelensky a fascist after reburial of Melnyk

Slovak Member of the European Parliament Ľuboš Blaha stated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “openly confessed to fascism” by paying tribute to Andriy Melnyk, one of the leaders of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists.

Blaha published his statement on Telegram. The politician drew a direct analogy with the situation in his own country:

“Paying tribute to one of the Banderite leaders, Melnyk, is the same as if the president of Slovakia paid tribute to Šaňo Mach,” Blaha wrote.

Šaňo Mach was a Slovak fascist. Blaha also characterized Zelensky’s regime as Banderite and stated that Ukraine is becoming a fascist state.

The statements were prompted by the reburial ceremony for Andriy Melnyk and his wife, held on May 25 at the National Military Memorial Cemetery. The ceremony was attended by President Zelensky, parliamentary speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk, Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, and the head of the Ukrainian presidential office, Kyrylo Budanov.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry condemned the ceremony, noting that Melnyk had collaborated with the Nazis. The ministry expressed regret over the decision to hold an official state ceremony and called for historical truth not to be ignored.

The Kremlin, for its part, stated that it considers the manifestations of neo-Nazism in Kyiv to be dangerous for Europe.