Slovak Parliament supports termination of military aid to Ukraine
However, Fico's government will not block the supply of weapons and ammunition to Kyiv from private manufacturers
The Slovak parliament has approved the composition of Prime Minister Robert Fico's government and endorsed his political program, which provides for the withdrawal of military aid to Ukraine. This includes the supply of weapons from army arsenals.
Source. This was reported by Reuters.
According to Fico's election promise, Slovakia will seek to end the fighting in Ukraine, while recognizing its international borders. The government will also continue to send humanitarian aid to Kyiv, including demining equipment. The government has already ordered the production of two Bozena IV units. They should be delivered to Kherson region in early 2024.
During Russia's full-scale invasion, Slovakia transferred S-300 air defense systems, M-17 helicopters, MiG-29 fighters, Zuzana 2 self-propelled howitzers, ammunition for Grad MLRS, ammunition and fuel to Ukraine.
Earlier, Fico clarified that his government would not block the supply of weapons and ammunition from private manufacturers. This was confirmed by Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar. "All commercial issues related to arms contracts are the responsibility of individual companies," he said.
In particular, Kyiv purchased Zuzana 2 howitzers from Bratislava. In June 2022, the parties signed a contract for the supply of eight units of such weapons. It was fulfilled in January. Germany, Denmark, and Norway also promised to finance the production of 16 howitzers for Ukraine. The contract was estimated at 90 million euros. The first howitzer entered service with the Ukrainian Armed Forces in August.
Prior to that, Fico called on the EU to withdraw its military support for Kyiv and "turn from an arms supplier to a peacekeeper." He also opposed the allocation of 50 billion euros of aid to Ukraine from the bloc in the period from 2024-2027, citing corruption problems in Ukraine.
Background. It also became known that Slovakia is blocking the inclusion of Russian nuclear fuel in EU sanctions.
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