Slovakia halts military aid to Ukraine

Slovakia has ceased its military assistance to Ukraine, citing a lack of available state funds.

Slovak Foreign Minister Juriy Blanar announced this decision while emphasizing that Slovakia remains committed to providing humanitarian support to Ukraine during a meeting with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, Caliber.Az reports citing Slovak media.

Blanar stated that Bratislava endorses “all peaceful solutions” to the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict and reaffirmed Slovakia's support for preserving Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

Since the onset of hostilities in Ukraine in 2022, Slovakia has supplied both military and humanitarian aid, including the transfer of Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets to Kyiv, the S-300 air defence system, infantry fighting vehicles, demining equipment, helicopters, and a Zuzana 2 self-propelled howitzer under a commercial agreement. Additionally, Slovakia has welcomed thousands of Ukrainian refugees.

The government led by Robert Fico, which came to power following early parliamentary elections in September 2023, has voiced criticism against anti-Russian sanctions and military backing for Ukraine.

On October 7, 2024, Fico remarked that Slovakia was “cold” toward Ukraine's aspirations for NATO membership while supporting its EU accession efforts.

By Tamilla Hasanova