MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed openness on Thursday to a Slovakian offer to host peace talks with Ukraine, a conflict Russia is determined to wrap up.
Putin, who recently met with Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico in the Kremlin, mentioned that Fico had suggested Slovakia as a neutral venue for negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. “Slovakia is happy to offer its platform,” Putin said, adding that Russia had no objections if the talks were to take place there. “Why not? Slovakia holds a neutral stance.”
Slovakia has increasingly aligned with other Central and Eastern European EU members who are wary of continued support for Ukraine and advocate for dialogue with Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticized Slovakia, especially since Fico’s return to power, for his warm relations with Moscow.
Despite his openness to talks, Putin has repeatedly emphasized that Russia will press on with its objectives in Ukraine, regardless of the negotiations. He also hinted at the potential use of the new intermediate-range hypersonic missile, Oreshnik, though he stressed there was no rush to deploy it. “We could use it when necessary, whether today or tomorrow,” Putin said, adding that Russia has even more powerful weapons in reserve if needed.
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