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Luxembourg – The EU Council for Foreign Affairs in Luxembourg on Monday condemned the attack on the Ukrainian city of Sumy, which resulted in at least 34 casualties and more than 100 injured, according to the head of Slovak diplomacy, Juraj Blanár. Blanár described this strike as unacceptable and as evidence that war does not choose its victims. He emphasized that the attack must be condemned. Prime Minister Robert Fico stated on Monday that he does not have enough information to condemn the Russian attack on Sumy. This was reported by TASR.
The Slovak minister stated that he supported the continuation of training for Ukrainian soldiers on Slovak territory and Ukraine’s ambition to become an EU member state. He noted that Slovakia will not hinder other EU member states from providing military assistance to Ukraine on a bilateral basis, but will support all activities related to alleviating the suffering of civilians, including the supply of electricity and logistical infrastructure.
During a briefing with journalists on Monday regarding the Russian missile attack on Sumy, the Prime Minister stated that he condemns all killing, but added that he “does not have enough information” to comment on the mentioned attack at this time. Among Slovak government politicians, the attack on Sumy was condemned by President Peter Pellegrini and Parliament Speaker Richard Raši.
Blanár informed that the Council of Ministers also expressed support for the peace efforts of the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump and the efforts to reach a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia as soon as possible.
According to Blanár, the EU Council expressed sorrow over the interruption of the fragile ceasefire between Israel and the militant group Hamas and insists on the release of all remaining hostages held by militants in the Gaza Strip, as well as the cessation of operations by the Israeli army. Ministers also condemned the shooting attack near Rafah last week that killed 15 doctors and rescuers, and the bombing of a hospital in Gaza City, Blanár added.
“We expressed support for the proposal of Arab countries for the reconstruction of Gaza,” Blanár stated according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic (MZVEZ SR). In this conflict, Slovakia is also trying to alleviate the suffering of civilians, the minister reminded, noting that thanks to rescue flights from Slovakia, more than 100 children who are cancer patients, along with their family members, have been evacuated.
After the meeting, Blanár met with high-ranking representatives of the Palestinian Authority, to whom he conveyed Slovakia’s position on resolving the situation in the form of coexistence of two states – Israel and Palestine. He also rejected any attempts to resettle Palestinians from the Gaza Strip as unacceptable. (April 14)