Ukraine responds to Slovak President's statement on territorial concessions

“The last time Slovak land was ceded to an aggressor—in the name of peace—it did not turn out well and did not bring peace to either the Slovaks or other nations,” Tykhyi emphasized.

He may have been referring to the events of 1938 when Slovakia (then part of Czechoslovakia) was drawn into the Munich Agreement. At that time, the UK, France, Germany, and Italy, without Czechoslovakia's participation, agreed to transfer the Sudetenland (inhabited mainly by Germans) to Germany in exchange for promises of peace from Adolf Hitler. Unfortunately, the policy of appeasement of the aggressor ended in war.

Background

Slovakian President Peter Pellegrini recently warned that Ukraine would be forced to make territorial concessions to achieve peace.

He said that today, probably no one in Europe among sane people believes that it will be possible to achieve peace without some partial territorial losses for Ukraine.

Before this incident, Pellegrini stated that Ukraine was legitimately defending its territory. He also added that Kyiv fully complies with the UN Charter and does not violate international law.

Relations between Ukraine and Slovakia

Relations between Ukraine and Slovakia are strategic, especially in the context of Russian aggression.

Slovakia actively supports Ukraine both in the defense sector and in energy security.

However, it was not without its difficulties. The problem is that pro-Russian Prime Minister Robert Fico has often called for an end to military aid to Kyiv, emphasizing the need for peace talks subject to Ukraine's territorial concessions.

In addition, he has recently stated his hopes for the continuation of Russian gas transit through Ukraine.

Slovakia is going to close its only consulate in Russia.