Slovakia offers to host second Ukraine peace summit, seeks Russia's participation
Slovakia's Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár (photo: Getty Images)
Slovakia's Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár has announced Slovalia's readiness to host the second Ukrainian peace summit on its territory. Bratislava proposed this initiative to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, STVR reports.
"Slovakia consistently promotes peaceful solutions, and we support any peace initiatives. That is why I also participated in the Peace Summit in Switzerland this year. All participants agreed with what our government is advocating: that further peace talks must involve all parties, including Russia," the minister said.
According to him, preparations for the second peace summit will occur at various levels, and Slovakia has repeatedly offered to host the event.
"In this context, we perceive the statement of the Russian president, who acknowledged that part of the peace negotiations could be held in Slovakia, as a positive signal for the swiftest possible end to this war, bloodshed, and destruction," the Foreign Minister declared.
Blanár also noted that the Slovak government had offered the Ukrainian side to hold the peace summit in Slovakia during a joint intergovernmental meeting in early October in Uzhhorod.
Fico's visit to Putin
On December 22, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico traveled to Moscow, where he met with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.
It was reported that Fico's visit was the gas issue. Since Ukraine has refused to continue the transit of Russian gas, Slovakia depends on it.
Ukraine criticized Fico's visit to Putin, reminding that Russia has long used gas as a weapon. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry emphasized that the Slovak prime minister's actions jeopardize Europe's security.
