Vice President Iliana Iotova and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced that the conflict in Ukraine has no military solution and must be ended through negotiations. During a one-on-one meeting, followed by talks between the delegations, Iotova emphasized that achieving peace is the responsibility of every country in the European Union. In response, Fico stated: "There are very few politicians in the European Union who speak about peace the way you and the Bulgarian Prime Minister do."
The two sides discussed the EU's Multiannual Financial Framework, reaffirming their shared positions regarding cohesion and the Common Agricultural Policy. Iotova called for more active cooperation within the "Friends of Cohesion" group, warning that rushing the vote on the financial framework poses risks to the competitiveness of certain nations.
EU enlargement was also a topic of discussion, with Iotova seeking Slovakia's support for discipline in the accession of new countries. She noted the lack of progress by the Republic of North Macedonia regarding its 2022 commitments concerning its European path. The Vice President also highlighted Slovakia's support for the Bulgarian community, noting the upcoming 80th anniversary of the Hristo Botev Bulgarian Secondary School in Bratislava.
At a briefing following his meeting with Prime Minister Rumen Radev, Robert Fico reaffirmed his position that the Slovak government is not participating in financial mechanisms to support the war.