EU nation prepared to facilitate Russia-Ukraine discussions, says PM
Slovakia is eager to host peace negotiations at any level, as stated by Prime Minister Robert Fico. Read the full article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico announced on social media that the country is open to hosting any peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
Fico reportedly brought up the idea privately with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a recent visit to Moscow. Since taking office in 2023, Slovakia has voiced criticism of the EU and NATO's approach to the conflict, calling for a ceasefire and negotiations.
“If someone wants to organize a peace negotiation in the Slovak Republic, we will be ready and hospitable,” Fico stated in a Facebook post.
He also claimed that Ukraine has caused “billions in damage” to the EU, including Slovakia, by disrupting the transit of Russian natural gas, and noted that “it seems that the bigwigs in the EU don’t mind.”
Fico's public offer came shortly after Putin indicated that Russia would not oppose peace negotiations in Slovakia.
“We are not against it,” Putin said in St. Petersburg on Thursday, describing Slovakia as “an acceptable option” due to its de facto neutrality in the conflict.
Speculation around potential peace talks between Russia and Ukraine gained traction after Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election last month. The Republican candidate has consistently promised to end the conflict swiftly, though specifics have yet to be provided.
Moscow has repeatedly expressed its willingness to pursue a negotiated resolution to the conflict, provided its interests and the “reality on the ground” are acknowledged. Meanwhile, Kiev has firmly rejected any settlement that would involve recognizing the regions of Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporozhye, Kherson, and Crimea as part of Russia. Ukraine has also maintained its goal of joining NATO, which Russia has labeled as unacceptable.
Ramin Sohrabi contributed to this report for TROIB News
Fico reportedly brought up the idea privately with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a recent visit to Moscow. Since taking office in 2023, Slovakia has voiced criticism of the EU and NATO's approach to the conflict, calling for a ceasefire and negotiations.
“If someone wants to organize a peace negotiation in the Slovak Republic, we will be ready and hospitable,” Fico stated in a Facebook post.
He also claimed that Ukraine has caused “billions in damage” to the EU, including Slovakia, by disrupting the transit of Russian natural gas, and noted that “it seems that the bigwigs in the EU don’t mind.”
Fico's public offer came shortly after Putin indicated that Russia would not oppose peace negotiations in Slovakia.
“We are not against it,” Putin said in St. Petersburg on Thursday, describing Slovakia as “an acceptable option” due to its de facto neutrality in the conflict.
Speculation around potential peace talks between Russia and Ukraine gained traction after Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election last month. The Republican candidate has consistently promised to end the conflict swiftly, though specifics have yet to be provided.
Moscow has repeatedly expressed its willingness to pursue a negotiated resolution to the conflict, provided its interests and the “reality on the ground” are acknowledged. Meanwhile, Kiev has firmly rejected any settlement that would involve recognizing the regions of Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporozhye, Kherson, and Crimea as part of Russia. Ukraine has also maintained its goal of joining NATO, which Russia has labeled as unacceptable.
Ramin Sohrabi contributed to this report for TROIB News
