Putin open to Slovakia as mediator for Ukraine peace talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia is open to Slovakia hosting potential peace talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.

Putin told journalists north of St Petersburg that Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico made the proposal during his visit to Moscow last Sunday, suggesting Slovakia as a venue for negotiations.

The Kremlin leader pointed to Slovakia's neutral stance as a factor that makes it a suitable venue for such discussions.

However, Putin's remarks have sparked strong opposition in Slovakia. Michal Simecka, leader of the largest opposition party, criticized the idea in a post on Facebook, calling it "absurd" for Slovakia's foreign policy to be communicated by someone other than their own government. He referred to Putin as a criminal.

"If Fico wants peace, he should first urge Putin to cease his attacks and stop murdering innocent people in Ukraine," Simecka said.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry in Bratislava confirmed on Thursday evening in a statement available to dpa that it had offered to serve as a venue for possible Russian-Ukrainian peace talks.

Slovakia had conveyed its willingness to the Ukrainian government earlier in October, the ministry said, emphasizing its commitment to a non-military solution and its readiness to contribute to peace efforts.

Putin started the war against Ukraine in February 2022.