Slovakia Supports Ukraine Peace Talks, Warns EU on Western Balkans Trust
Pellegrini Backs Negotiations in Ukraine
Slovak President Peter Pellegrini affirmed his country’s support for ending the war in Ukraine through negotiations, welcoming Donald Trump’s involvement in the peace process. Speaking on Sunday in Belgrade after talks with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Pellegrini expressed hope that 2026 could become a year of peace.
EU Enlargement Concerns
Pellegrini warned that delays in the EU enlargement process risk undermining trust in the Western Balkans. “The European Union is gambling with the trust of Western Balkan citizens,” he said, noting that postponing the opening of negotiation chapters for Serbia reflects a political game by some member states.
He stressed that Slovakia opposes adding extra political conditions to Serbia’s accession talks, emphasizing that Belgrade should advance based on merit and existing criteria. Pellegrini warned that continued delays could push citizens in the region to abandon the European perspective, weakening the EU’s credibility and long-term security.
Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation
During the visit, Vucic said Serbia and Slovakia agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation, including military-technical collaboration and closer ties in the energy sector. He highlighted Serbia’s interest in learning from Slovakia’s experience in nuclear energy training and electricity capacity expansion.
Diplomatic Efforts Amid Ukraine War
Pellegrini reiterated that Slovakia favors negotiated solutions to the Ukraine conflict, which began with Russia’s invasion in February 2022. He praised international diplomatic efforts and called for intensified dialogue to resolve the war.
The ongoing conflict has heightened regional and global security concerns, with Kyiv insisting on restoring territorial integrity while diplomatic channels gain urgency.
Western Balkans EU Integration Status
The Western Balkans—Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia—remain at varying stages of EU accession. Montenegro and Serbia are actively negotiating, while North Macedonia and Albania opened talks in 2022 but await progress. Bosnia received candidate status in 2022 but has not begun negotiations, and Kosovo remains without candidate status.
EU officials continue to emphasize the region’s future within the bloc, but internal divisions and slow reforms have slowed enlargement.
Pellegrini’s visit also included discussions on regional stability, bilateral ties, and cooperation within the EU integration framework.
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