Blanar Praises US Effort to End War in Ukraine

Bratislava, 19 August (TASR) – Slovak Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar has welcomed the continuation of peace negotiations on the war in Ukraine, which took place in the United States on Monday with the participation of US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and several other European leaders, the Foreign Ministry's press department told TASR on Tuesday. "It's important that the initiative of the US president – which the Slovak government has fully supported from the beginning – aimed at ending the military conflict in Ukraine is continuing. The meeting at the White House followed up on Friday's summit between Presidents Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska," stated Blanar. The Slovak minister added that Washington's strong interest in guaranteeing peace in Ukraine clearly demonstrates the US administration's commitment to end the war as soon as possible. "I believe that the European Union will also approach this peace effort accordingly. Despite various statements downplaying these talks, it has become clear that without President Trump's initiative, peace negotiations would not have started even after three and a half years," added Blanar. He emphasised that direct negotiations and dialogue are moving all sides closer to achieving a lasting peace, which, he said, must be reached as soon as possible. "Further important negotiations are planned between the Ukrainian and Russian presidents, whose constructive approach may lead to a trilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump," stated the head of Slovak diplomacy. mf/df