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Russian premier, Slovenian president express hope for Ukraine crisis settlement

The Slovenian president noted that stabilization in east Ukraine would contribute to the development of relations between Russia and EU

© REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

MOSCOW, February 10. /TASS/. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Slovenian President Borut Pahor expressed the hope during their talks on Friday that the situation in east Ukraine would be settled.

During their talks in Moscow, the Russian premier said that Russia had good relations with Slovenia, which could not be said about the current relations with the European Union as a whole. He also said that Russia would do everything for developing bilateral relations.

The Slovenian president noted that stabilization in east Ukraine would contribute to the development of relations.

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"And I’m confident that this is possible, given the desire of both sides," Pahor said.

"This would be a big relief for all-round relations, for security, for the economy and, of course, this would be a big, a gigantic impetus for mutual relations between our countries," he said.

"I hope that we will be witnesses of such progress in the future," he concluded.

"We also hope for that," Medvedev said.

In Pahor’s opinion, the pullout of armaments is the first step in settling the Ukrainian crisis.

"After that, it will be possible to extend the peace talks as part of the Minsk accords," the Slovenian president said after talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

No alternative to Minsk agreements

The Russian leader noted at the meeting with Pahor that there is no alternative to the Minsk agreements.

"I briefed Mr. President on the latest developments and the aggravation of the situation in southeastern Ukraine, noting that there is no alternative to the implementation of the Minsk agreements as the basis for resolving the crisis," Putin said.

Putin added that during the talks the two sides also discussed the current state of relations between Russia and the EU. "I hope they will be gradually restored," Putin noted. He also thanked the Slovenian leaders and Pahor personally for detailed and constructive dialogue.

Speaking about the humanitarian cooperation between Russia and Slovenia, the Russian president said that an eventful program of cross-cultural seasons between the two counties is planned. Moreover, Ljubljana Days are due to be held in Moscow in the second half of 2017. "We highly appreciate Slovenia’s careful and respectful attitude towards our common history and care of Russian military graves," Putin added.

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Ukraine crisis Vladimir Putin Slovenia

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