Slovak FM: EU sanctions hurt bloc more than Russia, military action not the answer

Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár asserted that the European Union's stringent sanctions against Russia, implemented following the invasion of Ukraine, have proven more detrimental to the bloc itself than to Moscow. During a visit to Iceland, Blanár expressed his view that the economic measures have backfired, causing greater harm to EU member states.

Blanár suggested that the path to resolving the conflict does not lie in military action. His comments highlight a perspective within Slovakia, and potentially other EU nations, that questions the efficacy and cost of the current sanctions regime. The minister's remarks come amid ongoing discussions about the EU's strategy towards Russia and the economic consequences of the war in Ukraine.

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The European Union's sanctions against Russia, in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine, have hurt the union itself more than Russia.

The minister's visit to Iceland also included discussions on bilateral relations between the two countries, focusing on cooperation and shared interests within the broader European context. His statements on the sanctions underscore a critical assessment of the EU's foreign policy tools and their impact on regional stability and economic well-being.

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It will not be solved by military means.