Luxembourg – On Monday, the EU Council for Foreign Affairs convened in Luxembourg and strongly condemned the recent attack on the Ukrainian city of Sumy, which resulted in at least 34 deaths and over 100 injuries, as reported by Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár. Blanár characterized this assault as unacceptable, highlighting that war indiscriminately affects its victims and emphasizing the necessity of condemnation. However, Prime Minister Robert Fico indicated he lacked sufficient information to denounce the Russian strike on Sumy, as reported by TASR.
Minister Blanár reaffirmed support for ongoing training of Ukrainian soldiers on Slovak soil and endorsed Ukraine’s ambition to join the EU. He mentioned that Slovakia will not obstruct other EU members from offering military aid to Ukraine on a bilateral basis and will back efforts aimed at alleviating civilian suffering, including the provision of electricity and logistical support.
During a media briefing on the Russian missile strike in Sumy, Prime Minister Fico expressed his condemnation of all acts of violence but stated he needed more information before addressing this particular incident. Among Slovak government officials, President Peter Pellegrini and Parliament Speaker Richard Raši publicly condemned the attack on Sumy.
Blanár also noted that the Council of Ministers expressed support for the peace initiatives led by U.S. President Donald Trump and called for a swift ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia.
Additionally, Blanár mentioned that the EU Council voiced concern about the disruption of the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, urging the release of all remaining hostages held by militants in Gaza and calling for an end to Israeli military actions. The ministers condemned last week’s shooting attack near Rafah that claimed the lives of 15 doctors and rescuers, as well as the bombing of a hospital in Gaza City.
“We expressed our support for the initiative from Arab nations aimed at the reconstruction of Gaza,” Blanár stated, as per the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic (MZVEZ SR). He highlighted Slovakia’s efforts to mitigate civilian suffering, mentioning that through rescue flights, over 100 children suffering from cancer, along with their families, have been evacuated.
Following the meeting, Blanár held discussions with senior representatives of the Palestinian Authority, conveying Slovakia’s stance on achieving a two-state solution—Israel and Palestine. He firmly rejected any proposals for the resettlement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip as unacceptable. (April 14)
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