Slovakia halts official military aid to Ukraine, favors humanitarian support

Slovak Defense Minister Robert Kaliniak conveyed to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg that Slovakia would cease providing Ukraine with weaponry and munitions, as stated by the Slovak Defense Ministry.

“During the meeting between Slovak Defense Minister Robert Kaliniak and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels, Minister Kaliniak communicated the conclusion of military support to Ukraine sourced from the depots of the Slovak armed forces,” the Defense Ministry announced. “Nevertheless, Slovakia remains committed to extending a wide array of humanitarian aid and technical support to Ukraine with measures that do not lead to casualties,” highlighted the statement.

The cessation of official state military assistance to Ukraine was determined by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s government, which assumed office on October 25. The government doesn’t prohibit private military entities from supplying weapons and munitions to Kiev. The Defense Ministry reports that Slovakia’s NATO allies acknowledge and respect the decision of the newly established Slovak administration.

Previously, Slovak Prime Minister Fico halted the allocation of a €50 billion tranche of military aid to Kyiv. It’s noteworthy that despite the stated stance, the country’s administration is committed to continuing support for Ukraine. As Kaliniak stated, Slovakia will persist in providing Ukraine with a diverse range of humanitarian, civilian and technical aid.