STA, 22 February 2022 -
Prime Minister Janez Janša and the Foreign Ministry condemned Russia's recognition of the separatist regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine as independent entities. Janša called for the EU to offer Ukraine the prospect of full membership. Slovenia is also ready to support the country's membership of the EU.
"The recognition of the two separatist territories in Ukraine is a blatant violation of international law, the Budapest and Minsk agreements. Slovenia condemns this illegal move. The EU has to offer Ukraine full membership perspective," Janša tweeted in the night.
href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Minsk?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Minsk agreements. ?? condemns this illegal move. #EU has to offer ?? a full membership perspective. @ZelenskyyUa @Denys_Shmyhal #StayWithUkraine— Janez Janša (@JJansaSDS) February 21, 2022The Foreign Ministry followed up with a tweet strongly condemning the move by Russian President Vladimir Putin and adding: "These hostile measures are flagrant violation of international law & obligations contained in Minsk agreements & will not remain without consequences."
The ministry reiterated Slovenia's "unwavering support" for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. It commended the Ukrainian government's leadership in the face of "this aggression, entirely & unilaterally escalated by Russia".
Meanwhile, a post on the Defence Ministry's Twitter profile said Minister Matej Tonin had a conference call with PM Janša, Foreign Minister Anže Logar and Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek to exchange views on the situation and align Slovenia's position on the crisis.
"Slovenia is willing to support Ukraine's membership of the EU and enhance Slovenian troops' presence in eastern NATO member states," the ministry tweeted.
Russian President Vladimir Putin recognised the two breakaway regions as independent "people's republics" last night, ordering deployment of Russian troops there to "maintain peace". He also ordered for the Russian Foreign Ministry to establish diplomatic relations with the two regions, which are part of Ukraine under international law.
Most of the international community condemned the Russian president's move and the UN Security Council has met to discuss the matter. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on the international community to support his country.
