Only Ukraine can decide what peace agreement and what content is acceptable to Ukraine

Upon arrival, President Pirc Musar said, "the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine is a serious threat to the world order based on international law. This unprovoked act of war on the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine must stop and the Russian troops in Ukraine must withdraw to the internationally recognised borders between Ukraine and the Russian Federation."

Even though the Russian Federation will not be attending, the President believes that it is urgent and sensible for the peace summit to go ahead. "Our meeting is part of a longer process, in the course of which the Russian Federation will surely join the talks. There is no other way. We must talk," she said. She wants, however, for the talks to bring concrete progress, as "every single hour of our talks, a soldier, a civilian, a woman or a child loses his or her life to bullets and shells on the frontline or in the towns and villages of Ukraine." She is aware that the road to ending this bloody war will unfortunately be long. But it is a fact that Ukraine is the victim of aggression by the Russian Federation, "and only Ukraine can decide what peace agreement and what content is acceptable to Ukraine. That condition is not negotiable."

According to the President, Slovenia welcomes any concrete plan that would pave the way for talks to end the war and bring peace to Ukraine. Slovenia, she says, could take an active role on this issue. "Our strong motivation is based on our unwavering support for Ukraine. Slovenia has stood by Ukraine every step of the way since the aggression began and will continue to support it with development and humanitarian assistance. At the same time, as a non-permanent member of the Security Council and a country with no colonial past, we have good relations with the Global South." Slovenia is also drafting a bilateral security agreement with Ukraine. At the same time, the President welcomes the European Commission’s assessment that Ukraine and Moldova are ready to begin the negotiation process for accession to the EU.

During her two-day visit, the President will also hold several bilateral meetings with world leaders. Today she will meet with the host of the Ukraine Peace Summit, Swiss President Viola Patricia Amheard. Tomorrow, President Pirc Musar will be one of the speakers at a roundtable on humanitarian aspects. She will also appear in a work plenary session and attend the final plenary session, which is expected to produce a joint statement. Furthermore, she will hold bilateral meetings with the newly elected President of North Macedonia, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, and Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas.