He moreover attended a reception in the Kremlin last night but did not watch the military parade, which proved contentious for EU countries due to Russia's alleged involvement in the Ukraine conflict.

The commemorative ceremonies marking the end of World War II must be considered a warning that the atrocities of the past should never be forgotten and that the global slaughter should never be allowed to repeat, the Foreign Ministry cited Erjavec as saying.

The minister was accompanied to Moscow by a delegation representing Slovenian Partisans and attended the ceremonies in the company of Slovenian Ambassador to Russia Primož Šeligo, according to the press release.

The Foreign Ministry also said that Erjavec held an unofficial meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov at the side of the reception last night.