Condemning in the strongest possible terms Russia's full-scale military invasion of Ukraine, which undermines the foundations of the UN Charter,
Referring to unwavering support of the European Union, NATO and the UN General Assembly members for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders extending to its territorial waters, as well as fully supporting Ukraine’s inherent right to self-defence and to choose its own security arrangements,
Acknowledging Ukraine’s significant contribution to the security of Euro-Atlantic area and beyond, in particular through standing up to Russia's military aggression,
Noting that the Constitution of Ukraine defines acquiring full-fledged membership in the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as a strategic course of the state,
Noting the support by overwhelming majority of Ukrainian population for integration of Ukraine into the EU and NATO,
Commending the development of extensive bilateral relations between Ukraine and the Republic of Slovenia, and considerable potential for further cooperation in all spheres of joint interest,
President of Ukraine and Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia
- Reaffirm their support for the principles of international law, the inviolability of borders, and the right for each state to choose its own path and security arrangements;
- Reiterate their demand that the Russian Federation immediately, completely, and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders;
- Appreciate the continued support by Slovenia to help Ukraine withstand the Russian aggression and to assist with the reconstruction and fast recovery;
- Note the readiness to remain fully committed to the policy of non-recognition of illegal annexation of Ukraine’s territories by Russia;
- Deplore the dire human rights and humanitarian consequences of the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine, including the continuous attacks against critical infrastructure across Ukraine with devastating consequences for civilians, and express grave concern at the high number of civilian casualties, including women and children, the number of internally displaced persons and refugees in need of humanitarian assistance, and violations and abuses committed against children;
- Underline their firm commitment to bring to justice those responsible of war crimes and other serious crimes committed in connection with Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and to support the establishment of an ad hoc international tribunal to ensure accountability for the crime of aggression;
- Recognize the need to establish a sound legal basis for the use of frozen and immobilized Russian assets to support Ukraine’s reconstruction and for the purposes of reparation;
- Support Ukraine’s Peace Formula initiative for a just peace based on respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Slovenia supports the idea of a Peace Formula Summit aiming at promoting its effective implementation to be convened when conditions allow;
- Emphasize the importance of Ukraine’s consistent efforts of continuing the Black Sea Grain Initiative and the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian program, aimed at enhancing the global food security;
- Welcome Republic of Slovenia's contribution through the World Food Programme (WFP) to the 'Grain from Ukraine' initiative, which enabled a shipment of grain from Ukraine to the developing countries that are hardest hit by food shortages;
- Welcome Slovenia's intervention efforts in both cases of Ukraine v. Russia before the International Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights;
- Welcome the historic decision of the leaders of the European Union states, adopted on 23 June 2022, granting to Ukraine EU candidate country status. Ukraine highly appreciates Slovenia’s support towards the full-fledged membership of Ukraine in the EU. Slovenia looks forward to Ukraine starting accession negotiations when conditions are met;
- Acknowledge Ukraine’s commitment to strengthen its efforts to ensure further progress towards the implementation of EU and NATO standards on its European and Euro-Atlantic path and acknowledge bilateral support of the Republic of Slovenia to this end;
- Declare the following:
- The Republic of Slovenia will continue to promote strong and effective political and material support by the EU and NATO for Ukraine aimed at ensuring the ability of the Ukrainian state to effectively defend its territories in line with its inherent right of self-defence;
- Ukraine highly appreciates assistance provided by the Republic of Slovenia in order to strengthen Ukraine’s defence capabilities and alleviate human suffering. Slovenia will continue to provide strong defence, technical, humanitarian and political support to Ukraine for as long as it takes;
- The Republic of Slovenia supports Ukraine to become NATO Member as soon as conditions allow;
- Ukraine and the Republic of Slovenia express readiness to hold bilateral consultations on Ukraine’s security concerns prior to NATO membership;
- Ukraine supports the candidature of the Republic of Slovenia for non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council for the 2024–2025 term;
- Ukraine and the Republic of Slovenia commit to coordinate closely on these matters by intensifying bilateral contacts.
Signed in duplicate in Kyiv on 31 March 2023 in English.
For Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
For the Republic of Slovenia Prime Minister Robert Golob