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Slovakia this week became the second member of the European Union (EU) to launch a Russian vaccine against the Sputnik V coronavirus.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Matovičius was asked on a radio show what he had promised Russia about vaccines.
“Transcarpathia of Ukraine,” he replied, referring to the region of Ukraine that borders Slovakia.
Such a comment has received criticism from Ukrainians. The country’s Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, called I. Matovičius’s words “unacceptable.”
“Regardless of motives, gender or context, the comments of the head of the Slovak government, which directly affect the territorial integrity of Ukraine, are categorically unacceptable,” Kuleba said.
On Thursday, I. Matovičius apologized on Twitter.
“Slovakia’s position on the territorial integrity of Ukraine has always been very clear. Respect for international law is mandatory. I apologize to all Ukrainians for their inappropriate reaction, which could have undermined their legitimate efforts,” the Slovak Prime Minister wrote. .
Ukraine also apologized to the Slovak Foreign Minister.
Earlier this week, Kuleba wrote on Twitter that Slovakia should offer Russia several of its regions for the vaccine, assuring that such “jokes” are particularly sensitive for Ukraine after Russia annexed its Crimean peninsula in 2014.
In addition, Kiev forces in the east of the country are fighting Russian-backed separatists.
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