Sanctions against Russia must be continued as long as that country poses a threat to democratic Europe, acting Foreign Affairs Minister Rastislav Kacer has told TASR. "This probably won't be a short-term process; we must also be prepared for a new kind of iron curtain," he said, adding that Slovakia must do its utmost to be on the right side.
According to Kacer, the sanctions could still be toughened. "It might be further economic sanctions, it could be an embargo on other people, it might be another freezing of Russian assets, but first of all an economic blockade of a kind that would prevent Russia from obtaining technologies that would allow it to produce lethal weapons, or technologies that could further fuel this conflict," said the acting minister.
The acting minister also confirmed for TASR that Slovakia supports Ukraine joining the OECD and supplied a contribution worth almost €27,000 to the organisation for the creation of an analytical department on Ukraine. An OECD liaison office is set to be opened in Kiev in the foreseeable future. "It was Slovakia's accession to the OECD in 2000 that became the first successful step on our way to integration with the West. And now we want those doors opened also for Ukraine," said ministry state secretary Ingrid Brockova.
Brockova pointed out that the OECD has been collecting reform experiences from the most developed countries in the world for decades and its expertise might be instrumental in the post-war recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine. "We need to think also about the future. One day, when Russian rockets stop falling on Ukrainian cities and peace reigns, the time for recovery will come. The expertise of the OECD might make many aspects of life easier for Ukraine," added Brockova.
Kacer views it as important to keep cutting off any remnants of economic dependence on Russia. "This means completely diversifying sources of oil, gas and nuclear energy. Russia must stay isolated in that," he said, adding that Slovakia might be independent in all strategic resources in one or two years.
The acting minister stated that it's evident Russia isn't giving up, but he called its military achievements doubtful. "I would go as far as to say that Russia is losing a conflict that it started itself," he said.
Kacer noted that Russia is becoming more and more isolated. "Much tougher stances are also gradually being taken up by China and countries that may have appeared more neutral ... only countries like Iran, North Korea and some desperate small dictatorships remain as its allies," he said.
"We need to be prepared for Russia escalating the conflict in 2023. However, I believe that Ukraine with our support will manage to protect its freedom," he added. (TASR)
