Sutaj Estok Hopes for Constructive Dialogue Between Fico and Zelenskyy

Bratislava, 5 September (TASR) – Leader of the junior coalition party Voice-SD and Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok expressed hope that Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will engage in a constructive dialogue during their meeting on Friday. Sutaj Estok said this at a press conference during the opening of a client service centre in Senica. The Voice-SD chair wishes for the talks to build on previous negotiations between the Slovak and Ukrainian governments. „I hope these will be constructive discussions, primarily aiming at the fact that Slovakia desires peace and does not wish for the war to be prolonged even by a single day. I also trust that the Prime Minister will hold a constructive dialogue with Zelenskyy, especially in light of recent Ukrainian attacks on critical infrastructure — specifically the Druzhba pipeline, which is absolutely crucial for Slovakia in terms of gas supplies," he noted. He reiterated his hope that Friday’s meeting would follow up on previous talks between the Slovak and Ukrainian cabinets. In this context, he mentioned a forthcoming meeting under the leadership of the new Ukrainian Prime Minister. „It should take place on Slovak soil," he announced. Sutaj Estok also praised the current Slovak government's foreign policy direction as being open to all global partners. He welcomed the Prime Minister’s recent trip to China and also supported Fico's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. „I believe they discussed the earliest possible end to the war in Ukraine, as well as the economic impacts of the conflict, which are negative for Slovakia," he added. He hopes that on Friday, the Prime Minister will also convey a message from Putin to Zelenskyy. mf/mcs