Monitor: Blanar: Conflict Between Ukraine and Russia Has No Military Solution

(STVR, 'O 5 minut 12', 29 June) The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has no military solution and must be resolved through adherence to international law and dialogue with the Russian Federation, Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) declared during Sunday’s political talk show 'O 5 minut' 12 on STVR. In Blanar's view, the war can only be ended by peaceful means. „The Slovak position is that conflicts should be prevented through diplomatic solutions and respect for international law,” Blanar stated. He warned that the world is witnessing an erosion of international law - not only in the case of Ukraine but also in the conflict between Israel and Iran. „Let us return to the respect for international law and let's seek dialogue with the Russian Federation,” he urged. However, House Foreign Affairs Committee vice-chair Tomas Valasek (Progressive Slovakia), also on the show, warned that initiating talks with Russia will not bring an end to the war. He reiterated that Russia has no genuine interest in peace - otherwise the conflict would have been over already. „As long as Russia is succeeding on the battlefield, it will not negotiate but continue killing, raping, and abducting children — crimes for which, by the way, Vladimir Putin has been indicted and is wanted by international courts,” Valasek said. „The only thing that will stop him is realizing he can no longer make gains on the battlefield. Only then will he be willing to talk,” he added. mf