One EU country has said it wants to restore relations with Russia as this happens.

On October 3, the Prime Minister of a European Union (EU) and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member state affirmed his desire to restore relations with Russia if the conflict in Ukraine ends during his term as leader.

The Russian flag in front of the Kremlin in Moscow. (Source: Adobe Stock)

According to Politico , the person who made the above statement was Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, who has repeatedly criticized Western sanctions against Russia.

“If the conflict ends during the current government’s tenure, I will do everything possible to restore normal relations and economic cooperation with the Russian Federation,” Prime Minister Fico told reporters at a press conference on the new tax package. “The EU needs Russia and Russia needs the EU.”

Slovakia's Prime Minister stressed that there will be no military solution to the conflict in Ukraine.

The remarks came ahead of a joint meeting between the Slovak and Ukrainian governments on October 7, at which Bratislava wants to convince Kiev to remain a transit country for Russian gas.

This summer, Kiev banned shipments of Russian energy company Lukoil products across its border, causing concern in Hungary and Slovakia, both of which receive Russian oil via pipelines through Ukraine because they have not joined the EU sanctions.

“We have a vested interest in maintaining gas and oil transit routes through Ukraine,” Prime Minister Fico said, adding that there was no reason to buy gas and oil from alternative suppliers because “it is still Russian oil,” only at higher transportation costs.

Mr Fico said his government was under “tremendous pressure” from the European Commission to stop buying from Moscow.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/mot-nuoc-eu-tuyen-bo-muon-khoi-phuc-quan-hi-voi-nga-khi-dieu-nay-dien-ra-288709.html