Yesterday, 24 February, marked four years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II. On the anniversary, alongside the nationwide civic protest, Slovak political leaders once again addressed the war and the prospects for peace.
President Peter Pellegrini said it is high time to end the war through diplomatic negotiations that would lead to a just, lasting and sustainable peace. Such a settlement, he stressed, must provide guarantees against renewed fighting and open the way for Ukraine’s peaceful prosperity and future EU accession talks.
Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár (Smer-SD), speaking at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, also emphasized that only a diplomatic solution based on the UN Charter and respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty can bring durable peace. He expressed concern over the deportation of Ukrainian children and reiterated Slovakia’s support for international initiatives aimed at ending the conflict.
State Secretary Rastislav Chovanec, speaking at a commemorative event in Bratislava, underlined Slovakia’s solidarity with Ukraine and its commitment to international law, recalling humanitarian and energy assistance provided to Kyiv. At the same time, political divisions remain visible at home.
SNS leader Andrej Danko called for a swift end to the conflict but argued that Slovakia should not be drawn into what he described as a dispute between Russia and Ukraine. Opposition leader Michal Šimečka (PS), on the other hand, accused the government of weakening solidarity with Ukraine, particularly over its stance on electricity supplies. Civil society groups also marked the anniversary with a solidarity march in Bratislava and other Slovak cities, urging continued support for Ukraine and a renewed push for peace.
Source: TASR, STVR
