Minister Fajon in Kyiv: Slovenia advocates a lasting and just peace and continued assistance to people on the ground

Minister Tanja Fajon at the EU foreign ministers' meeting | Author Ministrstvo za zunanje in evropske zadeve

Russia must be held accountable for the crimes committed in Ukraine

"The meeting in Kyiv demonstrates that Ukraine remains among the EU's key priorities and that we remain committed to supporting Ukraine in all areas. Slovenia strongly supports all efforts to ensure Russia's accountability for its aggression and for international crimes committed in or against Ukraine," emphasised Fajon, adding that Slovenia intends to join the special court for the crime of aggression against Ukraine, and has already signed the Convention on the Establishment of an International Claims Commission for Ukraine.

During the discussion on accountability, Fajon focused particularly on the issue of abducted Ukrainian children: "We must do more to ensure the safe return of abducted or forcibly displaced Ukrainian children to their homeland." She also expressed hope that peace negotiations would resume as soon as possible, leading to a lasting and just peace for Ukraine that includes strong security guarantees. She called on her EU colleagues to consider how the EU could further contribute to the peace process and take on a more prominent role.

Slovenia will continue to help the people of Ukraine

In her remarks, Minister Fajon paid particular attention to war veterans, expressing support for the EU's comprehensive efforts in this area and emphasising that the needs of veterans, including women, must be addressed holistically at the national level.

"In October 2025, I spent several days in Ukraine and witness first-hand the consequences of the war, which affect absolutely everyone. This is why Slovenia pays special attention to the psychosocial and medical rehabilitation of war victims within the framework of humanitarian aid and development cooperation. Among other initiatives, we support the Superhumans Centre in Lviv, where veterans also receive advanced prosthetics and individually tailored rehabilitation. We are also preparing additional rehabilitation projects," said Minister Fajon.

EU foreign ministers and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, alongside the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andrii Sybiha | Author Ministrstvo za zunanje in evropske zadeve

The EU must continue to stand by Ukraine, including on its path towards EU membership

On the subject of EU enlargement, Minister Fajon said: "Slovenia supports Ukraine's EU membership and views enlargement as an important security guarantee. However, we advocate accelerating the enlargement process while maintaining the principle of merit and equal criteria for all candidate countries."

In her conversation with President Zelenskyy, Minister Fajon assured Ukraine of Slovenia's ongoing support and assistance.

At the meeting in Kyiv, the ministers adopted a joint statementon holding Russia accountable for crimes in Ukraine, signed by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, the 26 EU Member States and Ukraine.

Ukraine was represented at the meeting of EU foreign ministers by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Denys Shmyhal, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and Minister for Veterans Affairs Nataliia Kalmykova.

Before the meeting, the ministers paid tribute to the victims of the atrocities committed in Bucha during Russia's temporary occupation of parts of the Kyiv region in 2022.