Slovenian Leader Slams UN ‘Double Standards’ as Trump Promise Emerges

Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša has accused the United Nations of using inconsistent standards when addressing international conflicts, saying the focus on Gaza has eclipsed Russia’s war in Ukraine and other humanitarian emergencies. He also disclosed that President Donald Trump has pledged to visit Slovenia, the birthplace of first lady Melania Trump.

In an exclusive interview with News Media on Wednesday on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York, Janša said the organization should broaden its diplomatic focus and address conflicts around the world instead of directing most of its attention toward one Middle Eastern crisis.

“We have to get rid of double standards,” Janša said. He argued that the U.N. should use its diplomatic, financial and security resources consistently, rather than concentrating its energy on one conflict while other wars and humanitarian disasters receive less attention.

Janša said he was surprised by the extent to which Gaza dominated opening-day speeches at the General Assembly. By comparison, he noted, Ukraine received considerably less attention despite the war’s proximity to Slovenia and the rest of Europe.

For Slovenia and its European neighbors, Janša said, Russia’s invasion remains a direct and urgent security concern. He added that there is still no convincing sign that Moscow is ready to negotiate an end to the conflict.

The Slovenian prime minister said the U.N. was created to help prevent and resolve wars, and should therefore avoid allowing its agenda to be dominated by events in a single part of the world.

He also cited the persecution of Christians in Nigeria and other humanitarian crises as examples of challenges that deserve international scrutiny, stressing that nations face widely different security threats and humanitarian needs.

Janša said he plans to make the issue of what he calls U.N. double standards a central point of his own General Assembly speech on Thursday.

His remarks come as Slovenia’s foreign policy undergoes a notable change, particularly in its relations with Israel.

During the previous administration led by Prime Minister Robert Golob, Slovenia recognized a Palestinian state in June 2024 and introduced an arms embargo on Israel in July 2025. That government said the measures were intended to protect Palestinian civilians and support international law.

After returning to office, Janša has moved to rebuild and deepen Slovenia’s ties with Israel, signaling a departure from the previous government’s more critical posture toward the country.

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Earlier this month, Israel inaugurated its first resident embassy in Slovenia. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also traveled to the country for discussions on closer political and economic ties. The two governments signed a cooperation plan extending through 2030 and covering education, science, culture, youth and sports.

Janša characterized the policy as a restoration of the countries’ historically friendly relationship, rather than a sweeping change in Slovenia’s diplomatic direction.

Janša further criticized European governments for what he described as a failure to see the strategic links among Iran, Russia, the war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East.

He said he has supported Iran’s opposition movement for decades and maintained that a durable peace in the Middle East will be difficult to achieve without political change in Tehran.

The Slovenian leader accused several European governments of applying their principles unevenly—backing Ukraine while adopting positions toward Iran that, in his view, overlook Tehran’s partnership with Moscow. He pointed to Ireland and Spain, along with Slovenia’s previous government before this year’s change in leadership.

Janša also alleged that some European politicians have emphasized the Palestinian cause to draw attention away from economic and political difficulties at home, especially as elections approach.

The prime minister’s visit to New York also provided an opportunity to strengthen Slovenia’s relationship with Washington, a relationship that carries a personal dimension because of the country’s most prominent American connection: First Lady Melania Trump.

Born in Slovenia in 1970, Melania Trump grew up in the town of Sevnica before moving to the United States and becoming the nation’s second foreign-born first lady.

The prime minister praised Melania Trump’s work on initiatives for children, describing her role in the White House as a source of pride for many Slovenians. He said his wife met the first lady for the first time on Tuesday and that he also spoke briefly with President Trump.

According to Janša, he invited Trump to visit Slovenia and received a positive response. “He promised he’ll come,” Janša told News Media.