Slovakia's President says Ukraine EU talks only possible after war ends
Photo: Slovak President Peter Pellegrini (Getty Images)
Slovak President Peter Pellegrini has said that discussions on Ukraine’s accession to the European Union can only take place after the war ends. He also opposed any simplified procedures for Kyiv during a joint press conference with the President of North Macedonia.
According to the Slovak President, the main priority must remain a diplomatic end to the war in Ukraine. Only after achieving a just peace, in his view, can substantive discussions begin on Ukraine’s further path toward EU membership.
"Priority must be given to ending the conflict in Ukraine through diplomatic means; this should be the main condition for talks about real steps that would bring Ukraine closer to EU membership," Pellegrini said.
At the same time, he opposed any exceptions or accelerated accession mechanisms for Ukraine. The Slovak President stressed that the war should not become a reason to grant special conditions compared to other candidate countries.
In his view, Western Balkan countries have spent years implementing difficult reforms and going through a long path toward the EU, and changing the rules for Ukraine would send a negative signal to the region.
"No country, regardless of how difficult its situation is, can receive privileges simply because of that situation, for example, a war, compared to the Western Balkan countries that have gone through a truly long and difficult path of reforms," he added.
Pellegrini also said he does not support the idea of associated or partial EU membership for Ukraine. He emphasized that the enlargement process has clear rules that must be followed by all candidates without exception.
"If Ukraine one day in the future fulfills these rules and conditions, Slovakia will support its path to EU membership, but Slovakia will not support shortcuts or any kind of favoritism at the expense of others," the Slovak President explained.
He also expressed doubts about the possibility of EU enlargement to include a country that is currently at war.
"I cannot imagine the European Union expanding to include a country that is currently at war with the Russian Federation, that has been attacked by the Russian Federation, because at the same time that would mean moving the war from outside the European Union inside its borders," he said.
Earlier, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said that the current enlargement mechanism needs to be updated to ensure Ukraine's effective integration.
She also stressed that Brussels is considering new formats of gradual alignment of candidate countries with the EU, while basic requirements regarding the rule of law and reforms remain unchanged.
