Slovakia has expressed its readiness to host peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, even as Kyiv accuses the move of favouring Russian President Vladimir Putin.
On Thursday, Putin signaled openness to Slovakia serving as a platform for dialogue over the ongoing conflict. This followed comments by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who pledged to resolve the war after assuming office in January.
The prospect of talks in Slovakia has sparked concern in Ukraine, where officials fear any settlement might be skewed in favour of Moscow, especially as Ukraine faces mounting challenges on the battlefield.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced via Facebook on Friday that Slovakia is willing to host peace negotiations, emphasizing the country’s readiness to facilitate discussions. Similarly, Slovakia’s Foreign Minister, Juraj Blanár, echoed this sentiment on social media, offering Slovak territory as a venue for such talks.
The development comes nearly three years after Russia launched its full-scale assault on Ukraine, a conflict that has resulted in widespread devastation and displacement.
Putin, in his Thursday statement, confirmed Slovakia’s offer to host negotiations, expressing Russia’s openness to the idea. However, he reiterated Russia’s commitment to achieving “all objectives” in Ukraine, underscoring the ongoing complexities of reaching a peaceful resolution.
