Monitor:Blanar: Chances of Ceasefire Diminishing, but Communication Still... (2)

(TA3,'V politike', 6 July) Speaking on TA3's discussion programme 'V politike' (In Politics) on Sunday, Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) stated that the chances of a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine are diminishing as Russia makes gains and conquers territory, adding that communication won't be easy, but negotiations must continue, while opposition MP Beata Jurik (Progressive Slovakia/PS} said that although there's need to communicate, it's obvious that Russia isn't interested in sitting down at the negotiating table. „We have to communicate somehow, that's what diplomacy is for,“ stated Blanar, stressing that US President Donald Trump had already managed to bring both countries [Russia and Ukraine] to the negotiating table twice. „I'm convinced that through direct negotiations something will eventually be achieved,“ he added. „The point there isn't to defeat Russia, but to stop Russia, to keep it as far away from our borders as possible,“ Jurik stated. "I think it's possible to achieve justice, (...) by bringing accountability," the MP added. She appreciated that Slovakia eventually supported the setting up of an international tribunal to investigate war crimes in Ukraine. Blanar stated he made the comments about the need to forgive Russia in the context of what should happen after the ceasefire and peace negotiations. „What are we going to do with Russian Federation? My answer was clear. We don't want to build up our armed forces to prepare for a possible Third World War with NATO. We want to consolidate our relations,“ said the minister. He added that Slovakia condemns all attacks on civilians and violations of international law. The minister reiterated that the country needs guarantees to support the latest package of sanctions against Russia. Jurik criticised the fact that Slovakia, unlike other countries, isn't preparing for the disconnection from Russian gas. lin