Slovenia's Foreign Minister on Ukraine Peace Talks and International Law

Ukraine Conflict and Peace Efforts

• 🇺🇦 Slovenia, currently holding the UN Security Council presidency, emphasizes the need for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, observing the fourth year of brutal Russian aggression.
• 💔 The conflict has resulted in significant civilian deaths, including children, destruction of energy infrastructure, and severe violations of international law and the UN Charter.
• 🕊️ There is a universal call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, followed by meaningful negotiations.

Key Participants in Negotiations

• 🤝 Ukraine and Europe must be at the table for any peace talks or ceasefire negotiations to be legitimate and effective.
• 🇺🇸 The efforts of the U.S. administration and former President Trump in facilitating diplomacy are acknowledged and commended.
• 🇷🇺 Russia is currently in a stronger negotiating position due to its size and the territory it occupies.

Territorial Integrity and International Law

• 🌍 Slovenia strongly advocates for territorial sovereignty and integrity, stating that internationally recognized borders cannot be changed by force.
• ⚖️ Any peace plan must be acceptable to Ukraine, as they are the clear victim of the war.
• 🗣️ While acknowledging the desire for a peace deal, meaningful negotiations are difficult to achieve amidst daily bombings.

Trust and Future of Diplomacy

• 🤔 The question of trusting Vladimir Putin with a peace deal, given historical context and the UN's founding principles, is raised.
• 🛡️ Discussions are ongoing regarding strong security guarantees for countries to prevent future similar conflicts.
• 🎤 The importance of accountability for war crimes and the need for all sides to be equally engaged in diplomacy are highlighted.