Monitor: Coalition and Opposition Split on Putin's Peace Talks Proposal

(STVR, 'O 5 minut 12', May 11) Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal to prioritize direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul — rather than a ceasefire proposed by the so-called “coalition of the willing” — may stem from Russia’s concern over continued arms supplies to Ukraine, coalition legislators declared on the Sunday political talk show 'O 5 minút 12' on Slovak public broadcaster STVR. Jan Ferencak (Voice-SD), chair of the House Committee on European Affairs, cited both the 30-day ceasefire proposal and Putin’s call for direct talks. “Putin expressed concern that a ceasefire could give Ukraine time to rearm. That may be why he rejected the ceasefire and proposed direct negotiations instead. Still, what’s important is that Ukraine and Russia must sit down at the same table — only they can agree on a truce,” he stated. MP Marian Kery (Smer-SD), chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, viewed Putin’s proposal for direct talks positively, especially given Putin’s prior refusal to recognize Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s legitimacy. On the other hand, Ivan Korcok (Progressive Slovakia), former foreign minister (2020-23), dismissed the proposal as disingenuous. “Putin’s regime hasn’t changed its goals — to destroy sovereign Ukraine and dismantle Europe’s security architecture. These proposals are just a smokescreen to continue the war,” he warned. Michal Sipos ('Slovakia') echoed this skepticism: “I fear we are just as far from a ceasefire now as we were at the beginning. You can’t trust Putin.” Coalition and opposition leaders also clashed over Prime Minister Robert Fico’s recent visit to Moscow. While the opposition labeled the trip a disgrace that undermines Slovakia’s standing in the EU and NATO, coalition members emphasized respect for the Red Army’s role in liberating Slovak territory. Ferencak admitted he personally would not have gone to Moscow, while Kery defended the visit and criticized Voice-SD ministers for framing it as a Smer party initiative. mf