Sutaj Estok:Our Interests Match Those of USA When It Comes to Peace in Ukraine

(TA3, 'V politike', March 2) When it comes to peace in Ukraine, Slovakia's interests match those of the United States of America, with US President Donald Trump standing up for his country's interests, Interior Minister and Voice-SD party leader Matus Sutaj Estok said on TA3's discussion programme 'V politike' (In Politics) on Sunday. "I perceive a kind of fascination by Trump on the Slovak arena, but we must realise that many interests, such as customs tariffs, contradict to the interests of Slovakia. However, when it comes to the issue of peace in Ukraine, his national interests are absolutely in line with what the Slovak Republic wants," stated the minister. Opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) leader Michal Simecka, also on the show, opines that Ukraine needs to be militarily supported, so that it is stronger in negotiations with Russia and able to negotiate a just and stable peace. "By the way, the minister a moment ago said that Ukraine and Russia should sit down at the negotiating table, but [Russian] President Vladimir Putin doesn't want Ukraine at the negotiating table, since he is only negotiating with Trump. This is the hurdle to peace - Vladimir Putin," said Simecka. According to him, the Slovak government is betraying interests of its own country, as it isn't participating in talks on the future security architecture of Europe. In reaction, Sutaj Estok said that the European Union must return to its original negotiating formats, stressing that all of its countries are part of the Union. "If we go this way that I call these friends of mine, I call those, then this is the path to a two-way Europe," stated Sutaj Estok. ko