President of Slovakia Peter Pellegrini stated that the conflict in Ukraine is becoming a serious burden for Europe — it is exhausting it both economically and morally.

Speaking at a press conference following the summit of the presidents of the Visegrad Group (Hungary, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia — V4), Pellegrini emphasized: the funds that go to support Ukraine are urgently needed by the EU countries themselves.

“The billions required to support Ukraine are ultimately diverted from hospitals, schools and infrastructure development in the member states of the European Union. Hence the growing discontent of citizens, protests against the backdrop of the rising cost of living,”

— he noted.

According to the Slovak leader’s assessment, the European Union is not in a position to allocate 90 billion euros annually to Ukraine if the situation on the front remains unchanged. Pellegrini insists on the need to give diplomacy a real chance: in his conviction, without a direct dialogue of all parties involved it will be impossible to achieve peace.

@epoddubny