Blanar: US Permission for Ukraine to Strike Targets in Russia an Escalation

Vaduz/Bratislava, November 20 (TASR-correspondent) - The permission given by US President Joe Biden to Ukraine to strike targets in Russia with long-range missiles is seen by Slovak diplomacy as another escalation of the conflict, Slovak Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar stated during his visit to Liechtenstein on Wednesday, TASR learnt from its correspondent on the same day. "We're absolutely against such an escalation on the part of the outgoing US administration," declared the minister. According to Blanar, the incoming administration of president-elect Donald Trump claims that it plans to do its utmost to secure peace in Ukraine. Because of this, Blanar perceives the green light for missile strikes on Russian soil as an effort to "place obstacles in the way of the future US administration". The Slovak Foreign Affairs Minister warned that if this makes Russia feel threatened, we can expect another escalation of the conflict. Blanar called on the international community to seek solutions to de-escalate conflict at all levels. "I pray that the Russian Federation won't strike back with an out-of-proportion response and urge the Ukrainian side to give leeway to peace talks and wait for the long-awaited results of the US election to be implemented," said Blanar. The minister added that citizens of the United States showed in the US presidential election their clear support for the policy of Trump, who wishes to end the war in Ukraine. This, in Blanar's view, gives Trump a rather strong mandate, with which to address foreign policy issues. According to Blanar, it's of extraordinary importance to monitor the safety and security of the Slovak Embassy in Kiev and its personnel. "In case the security situation takes a turn for the worse, we're ready to take action immediately," he said. mf/mcs