Slovakia announces new aid package for Ukraine
Photo: Slovak Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák (Getty Images)
Slovakia is preparing a new military aid package for Ukraine, which will include engineering and mine-clearing assistance, states Slovak Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák during his opening remarks at the third International Defense Industries Forum (DFNC3) in Kyiv, according to Interfax-Ukraine.
"I am very pleased to announce that, together with Minister Shmyhal, we have just signed a memorandum on the 14th aid package, which provides for Slovakia to supply engineering and mine-clearing assistance to Ukraine,” Kaliňák said.
He emphasized that he is in Kyiv today to work with his Ukrainian counterpart, Denys Shmyhal, to identify potential projects for expanding "our already quite comprehensive defense cooperation."
According to the Slovak minister, since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Slovakia has increased its artillery ammunition production capacity fifteenfold.
"In addition, we have tripled the production of indirect fire systems. I am very happy and pleased to see here my esteemed colleagues from Denmark, and the joint project to supply 16 fully automated Zuzana howitzers has just been completed, within a few weeks," Kaliňák stressed.
Kaliňák also noted that during the recent meeting between Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, defense cooperation was identified as one of the main topics for the upcoming fourth joint intergovernmental session.
Slovakia’s aid to Ukraine
In 2023, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that his country would not support providing Ukraine with military assistance to counter Russian aggression.
Later, Slovakia came up with a justification for refusing defense aid to Ukraine, claiming that it could no longer assist because it needed to preserve its own defense capabilities.
On November 8, 2023, the Slovak government refused to provide Ukraine with the next (14th) military aid package, worth €40.3 million, which had been approved by the country’s previous Ministry of Defense.
Fico’s government noted that Ukraine had already received 13 packages totaling €671 million. In addition to military aid, the previous government had offered humanitarian assistance, including medical supplies and fuel.
Peter Pellegrini, who was Speaker of the Slovak Parliament at the time, stated that the country would continue fulfilling private contracts in the military sector. However, Slovakia would not send military aid from its own army stockpiles.
In 2024, it became known that Slovak private companies would supply Ukraine with engineering equipment for building defensive lines. Specifically, armored excavators and mine-clearing vehicles will be delivered.
