If the Russia-Ukraine conflict drags on longer than expected, tensions could spill over into the Western Balkans.

APA's Istanbul correspondent reports that Slovenian President Borut Pahor said this during a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

He noted that Slovenia appreciates Turkey's mediation role between Russia and Ukraine.

B. Pahor added that the region deserves peace, stability and cooperation.