23 September 2026

President of Slovakia Peter Pellegrini reaffirmed Slovakia’s unchanged position on Crimea at the Sixth Summit of the International Crimea Platform

“No country has the right to take another country’s territory through the threat or use of force. Our security, like that of every country, depends on respect for international law. Sovereignty and territorial integrity cannot depend on who is stronger.”

President of Slovakia Peter Pellegrini reaffirmed Slovakia’s position on Crimea, stressing that the country does not and will not recognize Russia’s illegal occupation of the peninsula.

“Crimea is part of Ukraine. Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders must be fully respected. For Slovakia, this is a matter of principle,” Pellegrini said.

He also stated that Slovakia does not recognize Russia’s so-called elections held in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine or their results, emphasizing that they cannot change the legal status of Crimea or any other part of Ukraine.

Peter Pellegrini warned that accepting territorial changes achieved through force would weaken peace and stability in Europe and beyond.

“Force can prevail over law. Slovakia rejects that message. Crimea is Ukraine. Borders cannot be changed by force. And Slovakia will continue to stand by these principles,” Peter Pellegrini said.