President following the negotiations with the President of Slovakia: We count on the support, diplomatic and sanctions pressure on the Russian Federation to end the war and de-occupy the Ukrainian territories

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that Slovakia had been and remained a good friend, good neighbor and reliable partner of Ukraine.

“I am deeply moved that Madam Čaputová called the return of peace to Ukraine a personal goal. Ending the war and de-occupation of all Ukrainian territories is my primary mission. And we really count on your support, diplomatic and sanctions pressure of all our partners, including Slovakia,” the Head of State said during a meeting with media representatives following negotiations with President of Slovakia Zuzana Čaputová.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that not only Ukraine needed that. “This is what the whole of Europe needs, as it won’t feel safe as long as the Russian Federation ignores international law. We lay great hopes on the ongoing Slovak OSCE Chairmanship and on the further steps to make significant progress in this important issue,” the President of Ukraine emphasized.

According to him, the first significant steps on the path to peace will be the complete and permanent ceasefire, the final separation of forces in the area of Stanytsia Luhanska, which must be duly verified by the OSCE.

“We expect that Slovakia will continue to raise the question of the full withdrawal of the occupying troops from Ukraine and the return of the temporarily occupied territories under our control in the OSCE,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

For her part, President of Slovakia Zuzana Čaputová commended the situation in the area of Stanytsia Luhanska. “The exchange of prisoners with the Russian Federation and the resumption of negotiations in the Normandy format are a very important signal that, through mediation, dialogue can make things better. Every solution to the conflict must be based on the principles of international law and take into account sovereignty and internationally recognized borders. This applies to Donbas and Crimea, Sevastopol. Therefore, according to the EU position, Slovakia supports the continuation of sanctions against Russia until the Minsk agreements are implemented and Ukraine has control over its territory,” she stressed.

Zuzana Čaputová is convinced that each country can choose where to go and how to develop. “5 years ago, Ukraine indicated that it wanted to belong to the Euro-Atlantic area and recognize our shared values. We need this decision to be respected,” the Slovak President emphasized. She also expressed regret that Ukrainians die defending peace and security of their country.