Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Thursday that Russia is receptive to a proposal from Slovakia to facilitate peace talks with Ukraine, aiming to resolve a conflict that he expressed a strong commitment to conclude.

During a meeting earlier this week with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico at the Kremlin, Putin noted that Fico, who has been vocal against European Union military assistance to Ukraine, suggested that Slovakia could serve as a venue for discussions between Russia and Ukraine.

Putin remarked that the Slovak government would be willing to offer its territory as a negotiation platform, saying, “We are not opposed to this idea. Why not? Given Slovakia’s neutral stance.”

Slovakia is increasingly viewed as part of a growing group of central and eastern European EU nations that are skeptical of ongoing support for Ukraine and favor dialogue with Russia.

Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar emphasized that Slovakia has consistently pursued a peaceful resolution to the conflict, describing Putin’s remarks as a “positive signal” towards ending the war.

“Slovak diplomacy is ready to actively engage in the peace process in this manner, and we have also communicated this possibility to our Ukrainian counterparts,” Blanar stated during a joint cabinet meeting in October, as reported in a statement released late Thursday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has frequently criticized Slovakia, which shares a border with Ukraine, for the amicable approach Fico has adopted towards Russia since his return to power following the 2023 elections.

Putin has consistently expressed that Russia is willing to engage in discussions to resolve the conflict with Kyiv, while also asserting that the country will fulfill its objectives in Ukraine.

On Thursday, he mentioned that Russia might deploy the new intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile, referred to as Oreshnik, again, although there is no immediate urgency to do so. “We do not rule out the option of utilizing it today or tomorrow, if required,” Putin stated.

He further indicated that, if needed, Russia could resort to employing more potent intermediate-range weaponry.