Slovakia's government officially refuses military support for Ukraine
Photo: Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico (GettyImages)
Slovak President Peter Pellegrini, Prime Minister Robert Fico, and National Council Speaker Richard Raši confirmed a unified stance on not providing military aid to Ukraine following a joint lunch on Saturday, according to the Slovak news outlet Aktuality.
According to the publication, the politicians discussed key issues of the country’s domestic and foreign policy. Pellegrini said the conversation demonstrated that “the three highest constitutional officials can openly, constructively, and pragmatically discuss all topics concerning Slovakia’s interests.”
The sides agreed that Slovakia should be represented in talks within the so-called Coalition of the Willing on Ukraine.
At the same time, Bratislava's position remains unchanged: the country will not provide military support to Ukraine, will not send troops, and will not participate in guarantees for the EU’s €90 billion loan.
Earlier, Prime Minister Fico criticized the Coalition of the Willing meeting in Paris but stated that Slovakia could participate in monitoring a peace agreement if one is reached.
Slovakia's stance on Ukraine
Previously, Robert Fico unexpectedly expressed support for Ukraine's European integration aspirations, while emphasizing that he opposes its NATO membership.
In addition, intergovernmental consultations between Ukraine and Slovakia took place in October. Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and the Slovak Prime Minister discussed key issues of bilateral cooperation.
The talks were held in Košice, Slovakia's second-largest city in the east, with a population of around 225,000.
