Zoran Stevanović, president of the National Assembly of Slovenia, has announced his intention to visit Russia, marking a significant shift in Slovenia's diplomatic relations with Moscow. This move comes amid ongoing tensions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which led to the suspension of political ties and the imposition of sanctions against Russia by Slovenia, along with other European Union member states. The announcement was made public through the parliamentary group Resni.ca, which confirmed that Stevanović plans to travel to Moscow after receiving an official invitation. The decision has sparked considerable debate within Slovenia’s political landscape. The opposition Social Democrats (SD) have expressed concern over the potential implications of such a high-profile visit, emphasizing that Stevanović, as head of one of Slovenia’s highest institutions, would send a clear foreign policy message. They noted that Prime Minister Janez Janša has remained silent on the issue, despite internal discussions within his party regarding alleged Russian connections linked to the president of the republic. According to reports from the Russian state news agency Tass, the exchange of views between Stevanović and the speaker of the Russian parliament, Valentina Matviyenko, was initiated by Ljubljana. Russian diplomat Yuri Pilipson praised the initiative as a sign of rational behavior among European politicians advocating for dialogue with Russia. However, he also pointed out that Slovenia’s foreign policy is shaped by its government, and the statements of Prime Minister Janša and Foreign Minister Tone Kajzer still reflect the EU and NATO’s anti-Russian stance. Stevanović had previously indicated his desire to visit Russia both before and after the March elections. Following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, Slovenia, like other EU members, severed political ties with Russia and imposed sanctions. Russia, in turn, listed Slovenia as an unfriendly country. The SD party expects clarifications from the government regarding the nature of this visit and whether it aligns with Slovenia’s national interests and international commitments. Meanwhile, the Left Party questioned the motives behind Stevanović’s planned trip, asking whether he owes anything to Russia and in whose interest he acts as president of the National Assembly. They emphasized that such a visit should serve the interests of Slovenia, the country he represents, rather than any other entity. In a separate development, the Slovenian authorities are investigating an incident involving graffiti at the entrance of the Indian embassy in Ljubljana. The graffiti included messages supporting the Sikh separatist movement Khalistan and criticizing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs condemned the act as hostile content directed against India and emphasized that the violation of the inviolability of diplomatic premises is unacceptable and contrary to international law. The ministry stated that appropriate measures will be taken in accordance with Slovenian legal procedures and international obligations, including the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961. India has reportedly raised the issue with Slovenian authorities, expressing concern over the incident and demanding action against those responsible. Similar incidents have occurred at Indian embassies in other countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada. In another notable development, preparations for the opening of the Israeli embassy in Ljubljana are nearing completion. According to officials at the Israeli embassy in Vienna, the embassy is expected to open in mid-September, with high-level Israeli representatives likely to attend the ceremony. The new government under Prime Minister Janez Janša has revoked several measures imposed by the previous government against Israel, including designations of Israeli officials as undesirable persons and restrictions on trade and military equipment transfers. The Israeli ambassador to Slovenia, Ruth Cohen-Dar, who previously operated from Vienna, is set to relocate to Ljubljana soon. The exact date and location of the embassy remain undisclosed, though security considerations played a role in the selection process. As these developments unfold, the political and diplomatic landscape in Slovenia continues to evolve, reflecting broader regional and global dynamics. The actions of key figures like Stevanović and the decisions of the government will undoubtedly shape Slovenia’s position in international affairs.
★
Keep the news honest.
ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.
Become a Supporter
Slovenia
