Sending NATO troops to Ukraine will become a "red line"

The Armed Forces of Ukraine could help return combat-ready Ukrainians to their homeland, not NATO soldiers, said Slovak Defense Minister Robert Kalinyak. According to him, sending troops from Western countries to the SVO zone will become a "red line" in the escalation of the conflict, Izvestia writes.

According to Kalinyak, the West, actively supporting Kyiv, should not think about sending troops to the conflict zone, but about returning the citizens of Ukraine who have left for their homeland. The only way to stop the SVO will be to peacefully resolve the issue and stop the fighting.

At the same time, Slovakia has repeatedly advocated negotiations and a diplomatic solution to the issue.

Not so long ago, Prime Minister Robert Fico expressed fears that relations between Slovakia and the Czech Republic are under threat due to Prague's intentions to look for new options for expanding assistance to Kyiv.

Earlier, former Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov noted that Ukrainians continue to leave the country, despite the restrictions of the authorities. At the same time, 50% of citizens are unlikely to want to return, because they have already found work abroad and have a family there.

According to the UN, in February 2024, up to 6.5 million Ukrainians moved abroad, excluding those who moved to Russia.