Slovakia voices support for continued Russia-Ukraine peace talks

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has expressed strong support for the continuation of direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, underscoring Slovakia’s commitment to regional stability and peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict.

Speaking at the Yerevan Dialogue forum in the Armenian capital, Fico highlighted the importance of diplomacy in resolving the war that has gripped Eastern Europe since 2022, Caliber.Az reports citing Russian media.

“We hope that direct talks between Ukraine and Russia, which started in Istanbul, will continue and yield results,” the Slovak PM stated.

Fico emphasized the geographical and strategic importance of Ukraine for Slovakia, noting, “Ukraine is Slovakia’s largest neighbour. And we want to have a democratic, sovereign, stable and prosperous neighbouring state living in peace. This is our vital national interest.”

The Slovak Prime Minister’s remarks reflect Bratislava’s consistent call for dialogue over escalation, as European nations grapple with the wide-ranging consequences of the conflict — from security concerns to energy stability and economic disruption.

The Istanbul talks referenced by Fico began in late March 2022 under the auspices of Turkish mediation but have stalled amid ongoing hostilities and shifting geopolitical dynamics. Slovakia’s call for their revival adds to a growing chorus of voices within Europe advocating for renewed diplomatic engagement.

To recap, last week marked a significant diplomatic development as Russian and Ukrainian delegations convened in Istanbul for their first direct talks in three years. Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky described the discussions as constructive, stating that the Russian side was “satisfied with the result” and that further contacts were anticipated. Medinsky also revealed that the Ukrainian side had expressed interest in initiating direct negotiations between the two countries' leaders.

Further momentum toward potential de-escalation emerged when Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a phone call with US President Donald Trump, conveyed Moscow’s readiness to collaborate with Kyiv on drafting a memorandum that could pave the way for a ceasefire and eventual peace treaty. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in response, affirmed Kyiv’s willingness to engage in such a process, indicating that Ukraine would be open to signing a memorandum with Russia as a preliminary step toward formally ending the conflict.

By Vafa Guliyeva