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UZHOROD. The meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico took place behind closed doors near Uzhhorod, a city in Transcarpathia that is just a few meters from the Slovak border, under strict security rules.

Journalists did not know until the last moment where the politicians' press conference would take place. The original venue, which was the Uzhhorod railway station, has been changed.

The meeting finally took place at Derevnivske Spa, where Fico had held talks with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal last October. There, Fico and Zelenskyy also appeared before reporters after the meeting.

Even before the press conference began, Ukrainian journalists sang the Ukrainian folk song"Red Kalina", which symbolizes that Ukrainians do not give up and will continue to fight for their country.

Zelensky: No amnesty for Putin

The press conference lasted less than 30 minutes. Zelenskyy was the first to speak to the journalists. He appreciated that it is good when such bilateral negotiations are held.

He said that it is necessary to maintain the"pragmatic nature of the work" between the countries. He noted that he informed the Slovak Prime Minister about the discussion with Donald Trump, the discussion with the Coalition of the Willing.

"Russian aggression and efforts to destabilize life are also affecting other countries. It does not end in Ukraine. We must do everything to ensure that the dark sides of Ukraine's and Slovakia's past are not repeated."

He mentioned Fico's visit to China, where he also met with Russian President Putin."The prime minister told me about his contacts in China. We saw who was there, who said what, and how he behaved. It is important that Putin does not understand such a visit as an indulgence, so that he knows that he has no alternatives. We stand for peace."

He said that the war must be ended by Russia, which started it."We count on support for our peace efforts." Robert (Fico, ed.) convinced me that Slovakia would work with us and other partners to achieve peace."

"I am glad that Slovakia is open to such a discussion," said the Ukrainian president, adding that most of Europe has already given such guarantees."We think it would be right for Slovakia to be part of this new security system."

Says no to Russian sources

Zelensky also recalled Trump's opinion on the issue of Europe's energy independence. According to him, an answer needs to be given to this.

"Russian oil and Russian gas have no future. And if America continues to be so decisive and feels the change in the situation, this will be a factor for which Russia will no longer fight."

He mentioned several times in his speech that Ukraine has the support of the US. He also said that Ukraine and Moldova should move towards the European Union.

He added that he and Fico also raised the issue of expanding Slovak-Ukrainian border crossings, as well as electricity supplies for residents who are losing it due to Russian attacks on energy targets.

The president ended his speech with the famous phrase: Glory to Ukraine.

Fico spoke about some different positions

Fico said that it was the first time he and the Ukrainian president had spoken face-to-face. According to the prime minister, Slovak-Ukrainian relations are a good example of how sometimes different political views can obscure the essence of cooperation.

"If we look at pragmatic and rational cooperation, there are many positive things there. But if different political views emerge, they are often significantly more attractive to the media space and will overshadow what we talked about together."

He said that during personal contact, they were finally able to explain things to the Ukrainian president and continue to maintain some positions."We have some different opinions, but that's what the world is about."

He emphasized that they have different views on some issues. He repeated what he often says, that as a politician he is making every effort towards the sovereignty of Slovakia. At the same time, he said that he wants good neighborly relations with Ukraine, but does not want to deviate from the path of Slovak sovereign policy oriented towards all four cardinal points.

Fico: Slovakia is a small country

He told Zelensky that both Ukraine and Slovakia have the right to protect their own national interests, but not at the cost of harming someone else's national interests."You have the right to protect your own national interests, but we also have such a right."

He wished the Ukrainian president to find a solution regarding security guarantees as soon as possible."As a small country, the Slovak Republic cannot play a decisive role in this, but we support all initiatives that aim for a ceasefire and lead to peace."

Fico believes that just as he respects and listens to Zelensky, he will also respect and listen to him.

He added that, despite the fact that it is widely known that he does not have a mobile phone, he remains in contact with Zelensky."I suggest that whatever is bothering us, let's explain these things." He repeatedly returned to the fact that they have different opinions on things.

The Prime Minister announced that the 4th meeting of both governments would be held on Slovak territory on October 20. Then the two politicians shook hands.

Read the most important news from eastern Slovakia at Korzar.sme.sk.