Ukrainian Foreign Minister’s Sharp Response to Slovak Colleague’s Call for Forgiveness Towards Russia
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha publicly and sharply responded to the remarks made by Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár, who during a televised interview suggested that Ukraine might consider forgiving Russia for all its past actions and crimes. These statements sparked strong disapproval within Ukrainian diplomatic circles, as Sybiha emphasized that the feeling of impunity granted to Russia is the primary reason behind its aggression and countless atrocities. The Ukrainian minister pointed out that it is naive to expect that a perpetrator would cease their harmful actions if their crimes are simply forgiven. He stressed that Russia would strike again and on other fronts if left unpunished. Those who have not lost loved ones in this war possess no right to make such statements, Sybiha argued. Furthermore, he dismissed Slovakia’s proposed diplomatic approach as unrealistic, warning that conceding to Russia’s demands only encourages further escalation. The Ukrainian diplomat warned that if the conflict continues without decisive measures, it could lead to catastrophic worldwide consequences, including the potential outbreak of a third world war if NATO becomes involved in military actions.