The new Slovak Foreign Minister, Juraj Blanar, today left open his country’s consent to new EU sanctions against Russia. “Our position on the twelfth sanctions package is open,” Blanar said at a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) in Vienna.
Blanar advocated an end to Slovak military aid to Ukraine. However, he made it clear that “the Slovak Republic views Russian aggression as a violation of international law.”
Bratislava is ready to help Ukraine humanitarianly and in demining. “We all want peace and democracy for Ukraine.” But as the conflict has frozen, “pressure for peace talks” is needed.
Schallenberg: Putin can end the war tomorrow
Schallenberg said Russia is the “biggest immediate security threat” to the European continent and has one person in its power: Russian President Vladimir Putin “can end the war tomorrow.”
Schallenberg also defended support for Ukraine. Because: “If Ukraine stops fighting, then Ukraine is essentially finished. Then Slovakia could suddenly have a different neighbor.”
Blanar sees few benefits from sanctions
Blanar explained that sanctions against Russia “didn’t achieve much.” His government demands an economic impact study and sanctions against Russia’s nuclear fuel are the red line for them. Because of the war, Slovakia fell to “second to last” in the EU when it came to living standards.
Schallenberg responded that the sanctions were not pleasant, but “we will not under any circumstances enter into a review.” Russia was under review in 2022 and had the worst economic data of all emerging countries.
No criticism of border controls
The ministers also spoke about migration. Blanar said his country was also under great migratory pressure. He emphasized that eleven Schengen countries currently control their borders and agreed with Schallenberg that “Schengen doesn’t work.”
He did not criticize the Austrian controls introduced at border posts with Slovakia at the beginning of October because “they do not hinder traffic”.