'Russian aggression on Ukraine undermines already fragile trust of West'

By Merve Aydogan

ANKARA (AA) - Russia's war on Ukraine "has fundamentally undermined the already fragile trust between the West and Russia," the Slovenian president said on Tuesday.

Addressing the Turkish envoys at the 13th Ambassadors Conference in Ankara, Borut Pahor said "the decision of (Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin to attack Ukraine was a surprise and disappointment," adding that "Russia's aggression on Ukraine" damaged "the fragile trust" between the West and Moscow.

Recalling "good relations" between Slovenia and Russia for over 15 years until the start of the war in Ukraine on Feb. 24, Pahor said his country "never felt threatened by Russia," while "Eastern European friends have always described Russia as a direct or indirect threat to their security."

However, Pahor said the war had changed their ties.

"The war in Ukraine will bring about a new bloc division of Europe and the world without the cessation of the war and a peaceful settlement of the conflict, which is unlikely," he added.

The Slovenian leader said that with the current situation caused by the war, "the development of a new bloc division seems almost inevitable."

He also noted: "In the new geopolitical division, Western Balkans will be part of the western world. But this depends on Brussels as much as on the countries of the Western Balkans."

"The longer the EU enlargement process will take, the more these countries will be exposed to Russian appetites, or at least to increasing Russian influence," Pahor said, stressing Bosnia and Herzegovina's "vital" importance.

He further said: "I'm trying to do whatever it takes in my power to convince the EU and the West to admit it (Bosnia and Herzegovina) to the EU in a fast track procedure and if possible, also to NATO."