Ján Kubiš has spent his entire professional life in diplomacy – whether at the foreign ministry, in UN structures, at the OSCE, or within the EU. He is the recipient of several state honors awarded in Austria, France, Afghanistan, and Lebanon. In 2021, he returned to Slovakia and now serves as an advisor to President Peter Pellegrini.
What state are Czech-Slovak relations in at the end of Petr Fiala’s Czech government?
I would say our relations remain, by and large, at an acceptable, essentially still excellent level. Relations between the two nations – between people – are carried on a wave of solidarity, shaped by a shared history of friendship and mutual understanding between two of the closest nations, now good neighbors. This is supported by broad interpersonal contacts, deepening cooperation, and many shared interests within the EU. One need only mention the large number of Slovak students in Czechia, for which we are grateful, as well as the continuing interest of Czech tourists in Slovakia – not to mention family ties. Contacts also take place at the intergovernmental level, although these were negatively affected by the differing approaches of the two current governments to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, disagreements over the causes of the conflict, ways to end it, and the resulting divergent perceptions of security risks. Both presidents also meet on various occasions. I would not therefore speak of a crisis, but of disharmony. Provided President Trump remains willing to mediate, a political solution to this war may be found. The conflict seems unlikely to have a military solution – a view now shared by the Czech Republic’s top establishment. Achieving peace in Ukraine through negotiations would remove the main cause of friction between the governments of the two states, regardless of the outcome of the upcoming elections in the Czech Republic. I must mention one more factor in our relations: we like to compare ourselves to one another, because we do not see each other as foreign entities. Sometimes, however, we go too far – supporting opposition politicians and activities, or carelessly exploiting commentary on developments and scandals across the border, especially around election periods, to sway our own voters. Unfortunately, well-known figures from political and public life participate in this with great gusto, often without realizing how much damage this can cause to our relations. We are now two sovereign states with our own internal developments, disagreements, and problems, which we must primarily resolve domestically by our own means.
Despite the official withdrawal of government aid, Slovakia continues to help Ukraine through commercial exports of weapons and ammunition. Is that correct?
With government approval, Slovakia’s defense industry contributes significantly to assisting Ukraine on a commercial basis, supplying ammunition and weapons, including howitzers. For artillery ammunition, this means hundreds of thousands of rounds in the most in-demand calibers. A large share of the ammunition obtained under the Czech munitions initiative also passes through Slovak arms factories, which ensure its usability. Slovakia helps Ukraine with demining equipment and humanitarian aid, supports Ukrainian refugees, supplies Ukraine with electricity, and provides gas through reverse flows. In proportion to GDP, Slovakia ranks among the most important contributors to Ukraine’s defense effort. The two governments are engaged in joint discussions on further forms of cooperation, including helping with Ukraine’s future reconstruction and EU accession. After Prime Minister Fico’s recent meeting with President Zelenskyy in Uzhhorod – which both sides described as pragmatic and useful – another meeting of the two governments is planned in October in Slovakia. Slovakia is the only state with which Ukraine has such a form of cooperation.
From Slovakia’s perspective, what are the conditions for ending Russia’s aggression against Ukraine with an acceptable peace agreement? Does Slovakia continue to support Ukraine’s accession to NATO and the European Union?
The conditions for ending the aggression must be the product of negotiations and an agreement between Ukraine and Russia – ideally with US mediation and the support of the EU and the wider international community. Achieving lasting and sustainable peace is not possible without a settlement that provides security guarantees for both Ukraine and Russia. European partners in consultation with the US are already considering a package of measures that would provide Ukraine with such guarantees. From Slovakia’s standpoint, a peace agreement must be based on respect for international law and principles such as independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the state. Slovakia supports Ukraine’s EU membership, on the condition that all criteria are met during accession negotiations, within which Slovakia will also pursue its specific interests, for example in agriculture. The Slovak government does not support Ukraine’s membership in NATO.
What is the President’s position on the conflict in Gaza? Does he believe that the actions of the Israeli government in Gaza have crossed the line, even though the initial attack by Hamas was brutal and inhumane?
Slovakia has long cooperated with the State of Israel as a good partner and supports Israel’s right to self-defense in line with the principles of international law. Slovakia categorically condemned Hamas’s inhuman terrorist attack of October 2023, condemns Hamas for its continued holding of hostages and the remains of those who died in captivity, and calls for their immediate and unconditional release to Israel. At the same time, Slovakia urges all parties – including Israel – to comply with international humanitarian law. Slovakia supports US, Qatari, and Egyptian efforts to achieve a lasting ceasefire and an end to the war in Gaza. It condemned the recent Israeli military attack on Qatar, including at the UN, expressed solidarity with Qatar, and affirmed support for its sovereignty. Slovakia consistently supports a lasting solution to the conflict based on the two-state model, which must result from a mutual agreement between Israel and Palestine. It criticizes Israel’s attempts to annex the West Bank and build more settlements there. Slovakia coordinates its positions on the Middle East conflict within the framework of the EU. So far, it has opposed a complete suspension of dialogue and cooperation between the EU and Israel. Slovakia calls for unrestricted humanitarian access for civilians in Gaza and criticizes Israeli actions that hinder this. It advocates for the protection of space for international humanitarian actors to operate. It provides humanitarian aid for Gaza through partner states in the region and has carried out two medical evacuations of pediatric oncology patients and their parents from Gaza.
The author is a European editor of Deník
CV BOX
Ján Kubiš (born November 12, 1952 in Bratislava) is a Slovak diplomat, former minister of foreign affairs, and current advisor to President Peter Pellegrini on foreign affairs and international politics.
He graduated in diplomacy from the State Institute of International Relations in Moscow and worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Czechoslovakia from 1976 to 1992.
From 1993 to 1994, he served as ambassador and representative of Slovakia to the UN and other international organizations. Between 1994 and 1998, he was Director of the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre, and until 2005 he worked as Secretary General of the OSCE.
From 2005 to July 2006, he was the EU representative for Central Asia in Brussels. In January 2009, he became Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. From November 2011, he served as Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of the UN Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), from 2019 as UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, and in 2021 as UN Special Envoy for Libya. He then returned to Slovakia.
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