The President of Slovakia announced a planned visit to Ukraine, which has generated significant interest and attention within European political circles
Peter Pellegrini, the head of the Slovak state, announced his intention to visit Kyiv in the near future, emphasizing that this visit should not be merely a formal event but a genuinely useful and meaningful step toward strengthening Ukrainian-Slovak relations. President Pellegrini shared his intentions during an interview with the Slovak television channel STVR, which was subsequently widely covered in journalistic and analytical materials, notably on the website “European Pravda.” According to him, he had already informed the Ukrainian leader, Volodymyr Zelensky, about these plans during a recent meeting at the Vilnius summit last week. The head of Slovakia stressed that it is important for him that this visit be filled with constructive content, as he aims for the trip to produce concrete results that will positively impact both sides and demonstrate solidarity and support for the Ukrainian people during this difficult period. In his speech, Pellegrini clearly emphasized that he felt heard and understood by Ukraine’s leadership, and that is why he urged the Ukrainian side to consider this aspect so that his visit would not turn into a mere formality or symbolic event. "We seek to find something more than just a formal gesture. It is important for us to send a clear and positive signal that the European Union and its neighboring countries support Ukraine and are ready to help it overcome current challenges," stated the Slovak leader. Regarding Ukraine’s prospects for development after the end of active hostilities, Peter Pellegrini expressed a fairly optimistic view. He is confident that the recovery and stabilization of Ukraine will open new opportunities for the region and for Europe as a whole. According to him, for Slovakia, which borders Ukraine directly and is a member of the European Union, this will become a strong impulse for addressing common regional problems, as well as for developing infrastructure, economy, and security. “Basically, Ukraine’s stability is also our stability. It can significantly improve living standards in our country, eliminate geographical and economic disparities, and contribute to integration into the shared European environment,” Pellegrini noted. Such a position demonstrates Slovakia’s desire to actively participate in European support for Ukraine during this transitional period. Regarding the background, it is important to mention that the first mention of Pellegrini’s potential visit to Ukraine appeared as early as December 2024; however, a few weeks later, the leader of the state canceled his plans. The main reason at that time was the situation with Russian gas transit through Ukraine, which complicated diplomatic contacts. During that period, the politician made a somewhat ambiguous remark about the need for territorial concessions from Ukraine to achieve peace, which caused broad resonance in society and political circles. Currently, according to recent reports, Pellegrini’s intention to revisit Kyiv appears to be a serious and well-considered step aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and demonstrating solidarity with the Ukrainian people during this difficult period. It is expected that his visit will serve as an important signal to the international community about the support Ukraine receives from European countries and will reaffirm the commitment to active diplomatic efforts to achieve peaceful conflict resolution and the country’s recovery.