Slovakia can host Russia-Ukraine peace talks, Putin says – National
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Russia is open to Slovakia’s offer to host peace talks to end the conflict with Ukraine.
Putin, who hosted Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Ficon in the Kremlin this week, said Ficon, an outspoken opponent of European Union support for Ukraine, had offered his country to host talks between Russia and Ukraine.
Putin said that the Slovak authorities “…will be happy to present their country as a platform for negotiations.” We are not against it. Why not? Because Slovakia takes such a neutral position.”
Slovakia is seen as one of a growing camp of central and eastern European Union member states skeptical of supporting Ukraine and supporting talks with Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has repeatedly criticized Slovakia, which borders Ukraine, for Fico’s friendly attitude toward Russia since he returned to power after the 2023 election.
Putin has repeatedly said that Russia is open to negotiations with Kiev to end the conflict, but will nevertheless achieve its goals in Ukraine.
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Putin said on Thursday that Russia may use a new medium-range hypersonic ballistic missile known as the Oreshnik again, but that he is in no rush to do so.
“We do not exclude the possibility of using it both today and tomorrow, if necessary,” Putin said.
According to Putin, if necessary, Russia can use more powerful medium-range weapons.
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