Slovenian Defence Minister: We will not send weapons to Ukraine

Speaking after the meeting, which focused on the situation in Ukraine, Tonin said that he did not want a war in the east of Europe but that a clear message had to be sent to Russia.

Bad peace is definitely better than a good war in Ukraine, Tonin said, adding that his country was currently not considering sending weapons to Ukraine, which is what some other NATO members have done, due to Ukraine's "limited capacity" to accept weapons and equipment it has been getting from other countries.

"It seems crucial for NATO to send a clear message to Putin that the price of war is simply too high," Tonin said after talks with the UK minister.

The possible aggressive behaviour of Russia would mean even more NATO soldiers on Russia's border, the Slovenian minister said, noting that such conduct would be counterproductive for Russia.

Slovenia currently has soldiers in the NATO mission in Latvia, and in June its contingent will be joined by soldiers from North Macedonia.

Such action is the best response by NATO to deter a possible Russian attack on Ukraine, Tonin said.