Instability is in the East, Minister Kaliňák responded to the question of whether Russia is an aggressor – Správy

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The cooling of relations between the Czech Republic and Slovakia should come if there are bilateral problems. Ukraine is not a bilateral issue and it is not a standard procedure, declared Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák (Smer-SD) in the RTVS talk show Sobotné dialogy. He described the Czech attitude towards the situation in Ukraine as militant.

Opposition MP Branislav Gröhling (SaS) was not surprised by the Czech government’s move, the indications had been coming for a long time. The same steps may eventually come from the EU, for example in the form of stopping European funds. As a reason, Gröhling also cited the amendment to the Criminal Code, which significantly reduces the penalty rates and statute of limitations for corruption.

When asked about the criticized meeting of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Juraj Blanár with the head of Russian diplomacy Sergej Lavorv, who is on the sanctions list, Kaliňák said that the initiative came from the Russian side.

Threat in the East

Although Kaliňák admitted that Russia is a threat to other states and has violated international law, he did not clearly answer whether it is also a threat to Slovakia.

“Instability is in the East and it will always be there, because Russia has a border with Ukraine,” he added, adding that negotiations are the way to peace.

Branislav Gröhling emphasized several times that it is necessary to say clearly that Russia is the aggressor who is killing innocent people in Ukraine and there will be peace only if it packs up and leaves.

“You pander to Putin’s regime, and it’s true. Our partners let us know what they think about our policy,” the deputy added, adding that in the case of Czechoslovak relations, it is not about the attitude of the Czechs towards the Slovaks, but towards the Slovak government.

The Minister of Defense added that Slovakia is on the side of the EU and NATO, but not if it disagrees with something or sees “nonsense”. At the same time, he expressed concern about sending soldiers to Ukraine.

“The sending of Slovak soldiers must be approved by the Slovak government – that’s you. And then the parliament, where you have the majority. Only you can decide that,” said Gröhling.

Promises to cancel

One of the topics of discussion was the defense agreement with the USA, which was a major topic of Smer’s election campaign. At meetings, he promised her dismissal or even a referendum. Some time ago, however, Robert Kaliňák, as Minister of the Interior, stated that the contract would remain.

“The contract can only be terminated after 10 years. We will now discuss it so that we can set some parts differently,” Kaliňák explained.

In the context of these plans, Gröhling talked about misleading voters before the elections.

“As a several-time experienced minister, you could have told Robert Fico not to talk at rallies about canceling a contract that cannot be canceled,” he responded.

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