The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, met with the President of the Slovak Republic Zuzana Caputova.
This was reported by the press service of the Office of the President.
Defense and economic assistance to Ukraine, support for granting our country the status of a candidate for EU membership, and strengthening sanctions against russia were among the main topics of the meeting.
"Slovakia's contribution to strengthening our defense capabilities is significant. I highly appreciate the President's role in providing defense assistance to Ukraine. Our cooperation is based on the shared vision that solid peace in Ukraine and throughout Europe is possible only when the territorial integrity of our state is restored and its sovereignty is respected. And I was assured that Slovakia would continue to provide maximum security assistance to Ukraine," - Zelenskyy said.
He said that both countries share the vision of the need to strengthen sanctions against russia.
"The situation when more than 50 days have passed between the fifth and sixth sanctions packages against russia is unacceptable. It is good that we see progress in approving the EU's sixth sanctions package. I hope that the sixth package will be approved soon," - added the President of Ukraine.
Zelenskyy and Caputova also discussed cooperation between the two countries on border infrastructure and the operation of checkpoints.
The Head of State announced the introduction of joint border control between Ukraine and Slovakia.
"We are grateful for Slovakia's willingness to help create new routes and hubs to export agricultural products and other critical goods from Ukraine," - said Zelenskyy. This is significant support for our economy, especially now when russia blocked Ukrainian ports at the Black and the Azov seas. This cooperation is also essential for global food security," - added Zelenskyy.
The meeting also focused on financial support for Ukraine, Slovakia's involvement in the post-war reconstruction of our country, and assistance to Ukrainian refugees.
The President of Ukraine said that 78,000 Ukrainians, 31,000 children, are currently staying in Slovakia.
"Mrs. President told me that more than 400,000 people crossed the border. Therefore, almost 450,000 Ukrainians felt at home while staying in the friendly Slovak Republic," - said Zelenskyy.
Zuzana Caputova emphasized that she wants to demonstrate her support for our state and the Ukrainian government by visiting Ukraine.
The President of Slovakia emphasized that her country has supported Ukraine and provided it with humanitarian, political, and military assistance since the beginning of the russian invasion.
"We have a clear position we will not stop russian aggression with just medicine or sanitary napkins. You are waging a just defensive war, so we consider it fair to help you," - said Caputova.
She added that Slovakia had provided Ukraine with the S-300 system and demining equipment and supported the implementation of the sanctions on russia. In addition, Slovakia will support our country in its efforts to become an EU member.
During her official visit to Ukraine, Zuzana Caputova visited Borodianka and Irpin, liberated from the russian occupation. The Head of the Kyiv RMA (Region Military Administration), Oleksiy Kuleba, said the President of Slovakia was shocked by the consequences of the russian aggression she saw there.
The presidents of Poland and Slovakia, Andrzej Duda and Zuzana Caputova, recently announced a series of visits to Western Europe countries to persuade their leaders to grant Ukraine EU candidate status.