Slovakia's foreign minister Juraj Blanar has urged leaders to communicate with Russia. (Image: Getty)
A European Union foreign minister has suggested that Russia’s actions in Ukraine should "perhaps" be forgiven as two countries stall plans for more sanctions. Slovakia's foreign minister Juraj Blanar made the comments as the state, together with Hungary, blocks new sanctions on Russia. The Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico and Serbian President Aleksandar Vu？i？ – whose country is outside the EU – both attended Vladimir Putin's "Victory Parade" marking victory over Germany in 1945 in May, in a clear break with other European leaders.
In December, Volodymyr Zelensky criticised Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's direct engagement with Putin without consulting Ukraine, and stated that he was undermining European unity following Putin's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Mr Blanar said on June 29: "Let us return to respect for international law and seek ways to communicate with the Russian Federation." He added: "And perhaps even forgive everything that has happened."
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Robert Fico joined Putin for Russia's 'Victory Parade' in May. (Image: Getty)
Hungary's top diplomat, Péter Szijjártó, said, according to Politico: "This would undermine Hungary’s energy security and violate the Council decision granting us exemption from the Russian oil ban."
Slovakian President Peter Pellegrini has called for launching dialogue between Europe and Russia, the Russian news service TASS reported.
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"We need to begin dialogue with Russia. Two or three leaders are needed," Mr Pellegrini told TA-3. He added: "For instance [Italian] Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni."
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It has been reported that Slovakia has made three key requests as regards the European Commission’s (EC) plan to phase out Russian gas imports, namely guarantees that the country's companies will not face legal proceedings for breaking off cooperation with firms in Russia, compensation for transit fees and guarantees that the plan will not be adopted without Slovakia’s full approval.
Meanwhile, a new gas contract between Serbia and Russia has been agreed, TASS reprts.
However, its signing is postponed, according to Srbijagas CEO Dusan Bajatovic.
He told Prva television: "We have essentially agreed already upon the agreement with Russians but it would not be signed by September 20."
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Sir Keir Starmer urged the US and other UK “partners” to “step up the pressure now, with more sanctions and more military support to bring Russia to the table to agree an unconditional ceasefire” on June 26.
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The Prime Minister told the Commons: “We committed to providing hundreds more air defence missiles, paid for not by the British taxpayer but with money from Russia’s frozen assets. And together with Europe, Canada and our Indo-Pacific partners, we announced that we will deliver 40billion Euros of military aid to Ukraine this year, matching last year’s pledge in full.
“There is a path to a just and lasting peace, but it will only come through flipping the pressure onto (Russian president Vladimir) Putin – his position is weaker than he claims.
“So I urge all our partners, including the US, to step up the pressure now, with more sanctions and more military support to bring Russia to the table to agree an unconditional ceasefire, leading to serious negotiations.”