STA, 5 April 2022 - Most parties standing in the 24 April general election think Slovenia should not provide weapons to Ukraine, but foremost humanitarian aid. They mostly oppose any solo action as regards sanctions against Russia or an immediate suspension of Russian gas imports. Most parties think Slovenia's energy sources should be diversified.
Responding to STA questions about the war in Ukraine, the parties unanimously condemned the Russian aggression there. Most also think Slovenia should not provide weapons to Ukraine but humanitarian aid.
They stressed the importance of diplomatic efforts for peace. "Slovenia must act in a responsible way and encourage negotiations rather than incite conflict," the Alenka Bratušek Party (SAB) said.
Several parties stressed the importance of coordinated action with the EU and NATO. They oppose the idea that Slovenia should introduce stricter sanctions than the EU.
According to the Marjan Šarec List (LMŠ), Slovenia should help "in line with the EU and NATO common foreign and security policy". "There is no need for Slovenia to introduce any stricter sanctions or policy against Russia on its own."
The Social Democrats (SD) echoed this, warning that "solo actions, no mater how well-intentioned, can damage Ukraine and only increase the pressure of the aggressor".
Only New Slovenia (NSi) and the Democrats (SDS) specifically support military aid, while the National Party (SNS) specifically opposes it.
Slovenia should help Ukraine with weapons too, so that it will be able to defend itself, the SDS said, while the SNS maintained Slovenia should by no means send Ukraine weapons but stay neutral.
The SNS also believes Slovenia should abolish all sanctions adopted against Russia, as "we must provide for our people not America's profits".
Most parties also said Slovenia should not suspend Russian gas imports either, saying the country should first find alternative sources of energy as soon as possible, not only because of the war in Ukraine but also because of the climate crisis.
In contrast, the SDS and NSi think the imports of Russian gas "should be stopped as soon as possible". This should happen "within the next few months", because by paying for gas countries are financing the Russian army, the SDS said.
It thinks one of priority solutions is the construction of a liquefied gas terminal.
The party also thinks Slovenia should help Ukraine financially to "restore its economy and democracy". Since the start of the war, Slovenia has donated EUR 1.64 million in aid to Ukraine and another EUR 1.1 million through international organisations to help Ukrainian refugees, the ruling party said.
The Pensioners' Party (DeSUS) thinks it is bad that "countries are being forced to pick between Russia and America". Being neutral is the best option for countries such as Ukraine and Slovenia, the party believes, so it proposes establishing a "third bloc of countries".
DeSUS also opposes sanctions, saying they affected the people rather than those responsible.
Meanwhile, the Left called for sanctions aimed at "Putin's regime and the oligarchs who support them, not against the people". The SD too called for EU sanctions targeting the Russian elite.
Slovenia should offer all the necessary political, economic, financial, humanitarian and other aid to Ukraine as an EU and NATO member, the Freedom Movement believes. It also calls for aid to Slovenian citizens who used to live in Ukraine and Slovenian companies that have been affected by the war.
The Freedom Movement believes EU countries should negotiate on the supply of gas and prices together, and set up joint storage facilities, as this "would be the best way to lower the gas prices".
Our Land said Slovenia should strengthen its commitment to NATO and raise defence spending to close to 2% of GDP in the coming years.
Meanwhile, Connecting Slovenia said Slovenia should put its interests first and make sure its energy supply is reliable. "If this is possible without Russian energy, we support suspending the supply of Russian gas."
The SAB warned that Slovenia was strongly dependent on Russia gas and that the current government had done nothing in the last couple of years to diversify energy sources.
