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In the EU, according to Blanár, there is agreement on supporting peace talks between Ukraine and Russia

by AI | 21.May 2025 | Europe in brief AI

Juraj Blanár spoke about the peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine and the EU sanctions against Russia after the meeting of the EU Council in Brussels.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic, Juraj Blanár, spoke in Brussels about peace negotiations and sanctions against Russia. PHOTO: TASR

Bratislava/Brussels – The foreign ministers of EU countries agreed at their meeting in Brussels on Tuesday (May 20) to support peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, said Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár (Smer-SD) after the meeting. According to him, further direct talks could take place in the Vatican or Switzerland. TASR was informed about this by the communication department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic.

“Despite the fact that the highest representatives of the Russian Federation and Ukraine did not participate in the peace negotiations (in Istanbul, note TASR), it is important, as confirmed by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiha, that these negotiations will continue,” Blanár stated.

On Tuesday, EU member states formally confirmed the approval of the 17th sanctions package against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. Its most important part consists of measures against the so-called Russian shadow fleet. Blanár pointed out that the Slovak Republic only makes such decisions if the sanctions do not harm Slovakia, its economy, or the living standards of its citizens in any way.

However, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Slovak government insists that the sanctions do not bring the desired results. According to Blanár, the very number 17 is evidence of this.

“It proves that the sanctions did not help stop the fighting. Therefore, sanctions do not solve the problem, but rather the consistent negotiations initiated by the American administration of Donald Trump. As the only one, it had the courage to initiate peace talks,” the minister emphasized. According to him, Slovakia and the other member states of the Union support the peace initiatives of the U.S. president.

After the meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, Blanár also reiterated the Slovak government’s position on the European Commission’s proposal labeled REPower EU, which aims to end dependence on Russian fossil fuels. Bratislava has reservations about this plan to sever all energy sources from Russia, with Slovakia, being a landlocked country, suffering the most according to Blanár. Slovak diplomacy will therefore actively engage in negotiations on this European Commission proposal. Blanár believes that dependence on Russia as a result of the EU’s step would be replaced by dependence on another country.

“European competitiveness will decline. Major powers like the United States and China will always defend their interests. After a ceasefire and peace in Ukraine is finally established, it is necessary to normalize relations with the Russian Federation, not to completely cut ties, which would have negative impacts on the economy of the entire European Union, including Slovakia,” he noted. (May 21)