Slovak official urges Ukraine to return over $3 billion in financial assistance

Slovak Deputy Speaker of Parliament Andrej Danko has called for Ukraine to repay Slovakia 3.5 billion euros ($3.7 billion) for the financial assistance the country has provided since the start of the war.

Danko, who is also the leader of the Slovak National Party, which is part of Slovakia's ruling coalition, expressed concern over the substantial amount Slovakia has spent to support Ukraine during the conflict, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

"How will Zelenskyy return 3.5 billion euros we sent? For us, 3.5 billion euros is a huge amount," Danko stated. "If the Germans, along with the French and Americans, demand the return of their money, Slovakia cannot stay silent."

Since February 24, 2022, Slovakia has contributed 3.48 billion euros ($3.65 billion) in aid to Ukraine, equivalent to approximately 3.22 per cent of the country’s GDP. The majority of this aid, 2.77 billion euros ($2.9 billion), was directed towards supporting Ukrainian refugees who sought shelter in Slovakia. The remaining 690 million euros ($724 million) was allocated as military assistance to Ukraine.

Since the onset of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, numerous countries have provided significant financial, military, and humanitarian assistance to support Ukraine's defence and recovery efforts. 

The US has been one of the largest contributors, offering billions of dollars in military aid, including advanced weaponry, training, and intelligence support. In Europe, the EU and its member states have also played a pivotal role in supporting Ukraine. The EU has allocated tens of billions of euros in both financial aid and sanctions against Russia, aiming to pressure Russia into ending its military actions. 

Notably, countries like Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom have been at the forefront of military and humanitarian aid, while also providing financial support to help manage the influx of refugees. Slovakia, one of Ukraine's neighboring countries, has also made significant contributions. Other countries, including Canada, Japan, and several Nordic nations, have also provided vital support in the form of military equipment, financial assistance, and humanitarian relief.

By Naila Huseynova