Blanar in Brussels: No Military Solution to Conflict in Ukraine

Brussels, February 24 (TASR) - Foreign Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD), taking part in a meeting of the EU ministerial council in Brussels on Monday, reiterated the stance of the Slovak government that there's no military solution to the conflict in Ukraine and that it needs to be resolved by means of diplomacy at the negotiating table with the participation of all parties involved. "We opened today's session of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels with a minute of silence to mark the third year since the beginning of the war in Ukraine and all the victims caused by this senseless killing," posted Blanar on a social network. In connection with peace negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia three years ago, the Slovak minister expressed support for the "active approach" of the US administration "with the aim of ending this military conflict as soon as possible". According to Blanar, the Slovak delegation at the EU Council meeting also includes three secondary-school students who won a contest for the best video on the European Union topic. They have the opportunity to see and experience the Brussels negotiations held by EU foreign ministers, he said. "I believe that today will inspire them, bring the Union even closer to them, along with the importance of promoting Slovak interests in it," added the minister. EU foreign affairs ministers at their meeting in Brussels on Monday passed the 16th package of sanctions against Russia. The package, among other things, expands the number of ships included in the so-called shadow fleet of oil tankers and bans aluminium imports. ko/df