Foreign Minister in Brussels: Ukraine's freedom in Slovakia's vital interest

The independence and freedom of Ukraine is in Slovakia's vital interest, Slovak Foreign Minister Rastislav Kacer stated at the meeting of the EU Council for Foreign Affairs in Brussels on Monday. He also added that changes of borders by force can't be allowed in the 21st century, TASR was told by the ministry's press department. Kacer emphasised that Russia must be shown that "it won't fulfil its imperial ambitions through aggression and violation of international law and the UN Charter". The foreign affairs ministers of the EU member states agreed that the aid to Ukraine, especially through the supply of military equipment, remains crucial in defence against Russian aggression. Following the status of a candidate country, which the EU granted to Ukraine in June last year, the European partners once again supported the European vision of Ukraine. The participants in the negotiations also expressed their full support for Moldova within its internationally recognised borders and promised practical assistance in reducing its energy dependence on Russia, mitigating social and economic problems, and in the reform and integration process. The discussion of the EU foreign affairs ministers with the head of Moldavian diplomacy Nicu Popescu was dominated by developments in Moldova after last week's change of government, information about Russian efforts to destabilise the country, the effects of the Russian war against Ukraine and the integration ambitions of Moldova, the ministry's communication department reported.