Slovakia announces it will not supply more arms to Ukraine
3 Min Read
Slovakia will continue to support Ukraine by providing humanitarian assistance rather than military provisions.
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Slovakia's Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar talks to the media during a press conference after a meeting at the foreign house in Nicosia, Cyprus, on Thursday, May 9, 2024 (AP)
Slovakia is halting weapon provisions from its own stockpiles to Ukraine, but will continue assisting it in other wayds, Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar told his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock during his visit to Berlin on Friday.
Blanar affirmed his country's position, saying its decision will remain unchanged because there is "nothing left", referring to Bratislava's arsenal.
Nevertheless, Slovakia reportedly agreed to expand its repair base in Michalovce, located near the Ukrainian border. The base's premises were provided by Slovakia, but its operations are financed by Germany, and is used by German companies and houses military equipment provided by Germany as well.
Blanar also stated that Slovakia will continue supporting Ukraine with humanitarian assistance and intends to take part in demining initiatives. The Slovak minister reiterated that Bratislava backs all peaceful resolutions to the conflict.
Slovakia's newly elected government, led by Prime Minister Robert Fico, who survived an assassination attempt by a pro-Ukrainian activist, has shifted its stance on the conflict in Ukraine to oppose military and arms provisions to Kiev. Instead, it has advocated for a diplomatic resolution and revealed it would reestablish ties and trade with Moscow.
Slovakia declares jet deliveries to Kiev 'illegal'
In June, State Secretary of the Slovak Ministry of Defense, Igor Melicher, stated that the previous government in Bratislava had no authority to donate Soviet-era MiG-29warplanes to Kiev.
In March 2023, the interim government under Prime Minister Eduard Heger approved the delivery of 13 MiG-29s. The new government, led by Robert Fico, has since called for a legal review of this decision.
"The MiG-29 fighter jets were delivered to Ukraine illegally," Melicher said in a post on Facebook. He stressed that the Defense Ministry is "preparing a legal action."
Melicher made his statement after ombudsman Robert Dobrovodsky, who was tasked with reviewing the delivery of the aircraft, revealed that the government has failed to find the required legal analysis of the possibility of donating the MiG-29s to Kiev.
"The ministry recently told me that it was trying to comply with the request and find the analysis. However, it said that neither it nor any of its branches had the analysis at their disposal," Dobrovodsky said as quoted by TASR.
"It also stated that the analysis isn’t even registered in its databases in any form," he added.
