Prime Minister Robert Golob assured Ukraine that Slovenia will stand by its side until peace is achieved as Slovenia chaired a torrid UN Security Council session on 24 September, marked by protests by Russia, whose conduct was condemned by the majority of the participating countries.

Golob said European countries are united in condemnation of this aggression, which violates every possible principle and law, but noted he was personally frustrated about the Security Council being unable to do anything about the most extensive conventional war the world has seen in decades.

"This Council has failed the people of Ukraine," he said, contrasting this with Ukraine remaining an active member of the UN who has stood in solidarity with other countries even in its darkest moments.

"I can personally attest to this. One year ago, Slovenia experienced unprecedented floods of catastrophic dimensions. Rivers were overflowing, family houses were buried underneath heaps of earth and people were drowning. It was a catastrophe of proportions never seen before in my country.

"And during all of this, Ukraine displayed a gesture Slovenians will never forget. During the war, while missiles and drones were hitting Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, Ukraine sent a whole convoy of aid and over 50 members of its national emergency team to help deal with the aftermath of the floods in our country," he noted.

He said only a just peace will give Ukrainians a brighter future and only a lasting peace will allow them to grow and flourish. Such peace cannot come at the expense of fundamental principles enshrined in the UN Charter.

"This vision is worth believing in and acting towards it. Slovenia will continue to stand by Ukraine until they achieve this vision of just peace. And I know Ukraine will stand with us if and when we need it," he said.

Russia protested both the format and the conduct of the meeting, most notably the invitation of representatives of non-Security Council countries, led by Ukraine and some European countries.

Russian Ambassador Vladimyr Nebenzya said that Western countries were poisoning the atmosphere by giving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a "concert stage", while the Slovenian presidency had allowed participation by 11 countries that had nothing to do with Ukraine.

He accused Slovenia of having made empty promises that the rules would be respected when it took over the presidency. He therefore announced that they would not listen to attacks on his country. Žbogar took note of his objections and dismissed the criticism.

In his address, Zelensky said that the fight against Ukraine will last until a just peace is achieved and would not end because someone is tired of war or is doing deals with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Prior to the session Zelensky held talks with Golob focused on Ukraine's European future in light of Slovenia having been assigned the enlargement portfolio in the new European Commission.

"Both expressed mutual satisfaction and hope for fruitful cooperation as Slovenia is entrusted with this important responsibility," the government said.