Meeting in New York
On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga met with his Slovak counterpart Juraj Blanar. The talks centered on energy security, defense cooperation, and the future of the European security architecture.
Defense Cooperation and SAFE Mechanism
The ministers emphasized the potential for expanding defense cooperation between Ukraine and Slovakia, including through the SAFE mechanism — a European Union initiative aimed at strengthening joint defense capabilities.
Energy Security in Focus
Both sides highlighted the importance of energy security as a shared priority. Ukraine and Slovakia plan to deepen cooperation in this field to ensure stability of regional energy supplies, which remain under pressure due to Russian aggression.
Bilateral Relations and Consultations
The parties also addressed the development of bilateral relations and preparations for the next round of intergovernmental consultations between Ukraine and Slovakia.
“I thanked my colleague for Slovakia’s accession to the Civil Protection Shelter Coalition and its continued support for Ukraine’s integration into the EU,” Sybiga noted.
Broader Regional Context
Meanwhile, media reports indicate that Hungary and Slovakia have proposed lifting EU sanctions on six Russian businessmen in exchange for maintaining other restrictive measures against Russia. This adds a political dimension to the ongoing debate on sanctions policy within the EU.
