Pellegrini Hands over Credentials to New Slovak Ambassador to Moscow

Bratislava, November 26 (TASR) - President Peter Pellegrini on Tuesday handed over credentials to new Slovak Ambassador to Russia Peter Priputen, who previously served at the embassy in Moscow between 2014 and 2020. "You are going to what is probably the most complex destination in our geopolitical space at the moment, to a country that has been waging a war against Ukraine for more than a thousand days, during which it has violated many principles of international law to which Slovakia has long subscribed. Nevertheless, it is important to stop the destruction, killing and suffering of innocent people as soon as possible and to start international negotiations for a just peace," said Pellegrini. The president stressed that Slovakia cannot and must not ignore Russia either today or in the future. When the war in Ukraine ends, it will be necessary to find a dialogue with Moscow again, especially in the field of energy, but also with regard to Slovakia's candidacy for non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council. According to Pellegrini, Priputen's advantage is that he will represent Slovakia in a country he knows. According to the president, the new ambassador's compass should be Slovakia's national and state interests as well as membership of the EU and NATO and the common values of freedom, democracy and international law. Pellegrini said that he believes Priputen will find a way to communicate pragmatically and effectively with Russia while remaining true to Slovakia's interests and values. zel/df