Slovak leaders push for Ukraine's territorial concessions
Tensions are escalating between Slovakia and Ukraine. The Slovak Minister of Defence, Robert Kaliňák, stated that the situation on the front suggests Ukraine may need to relinquish some of its territory. According to Kaliňák, this could be a way to end the war with Russia.
Kaliňák emphasised that it is in Slovakia's interest to end the war immediately and establish a ceasefire between the conflicting parties, which would allow for further peace negotiations.
The minister noted that the form that post-war Ukraine will take is more important than future borders.
– It's quite likely that Ukraine may not realise that it will never find itself between Germany and Switzerland, but will always share its longest border with the Russian Federation. There's no disputing who the aggressor is, as Russia has overstepped all boundaries, rules, and violated international law. However, the same attention should be given to what is happening in other parts of the world, and the same standards should be applied to all other disputes – said Kaliňák on TA3 television.
President and prime minister of Slovakia on negotiations
Earlier, Slovak President Peter Pellegrini stated that Moscow and Kyiv must come to the negotiating table, and Ukraine will have to make territorial concessions to achieve peace.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico believes that Ukraine faces a "second Munich" like in 1938, resulting in the loss of its territories and becoming a victim of major powers. – Do you really think the Russians will support a peace agreement and give up Crimea and Luhansk? It's quite likely that Ukraine will become a victim of major powers. I'm very sorry, but for now, they are mocking Ukraine, fighting to the last Ukrainian soldier – he said in October before flying to Brussels for the European Union leaders' summit.
On Friday, Fico threatened to cut off electricity supplies to Ukraine if Kyiv fulfils its promise and halts the transit of Russian gas to his country after the New Year. He also declared that Slovakia could host peace negotiations for the "Ukrainian-Russian conflict".
Source: Ukrainska Pravda, WP News
