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Slovakia wants to support the EU’s €50 million aid package for Ukraine. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated this during a meeting in the western Ukrainian city of Uzhhorod, his Ukrainian counterpart Denis Shmihal reported on Telegram on Wednesday.
Source: BELGA
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In addition, the Slovak government promised not to hinder Ukrainian arms purchases from private companies.
A joint statement signed during the meeting states, among other things, that Bratislava will support Kiev in its integration into the EU. The aim is also to increase transit volumes for the export of Ukrainian agricultural products. Fico emphasized that Slovakia wants to help Ukraine. “There are issues on which we can differ, but that is political life,” he said, according to Tasr news agency.
Slovakia has long been one of the staunchest Ukrainian allies in the conflict with Russia, which invaded its neighbor in February 2022. Since the left-nationalist Fico came to power in October, this position has been adjusted. For example, Bratislava no longer wants to support Kiev with arms deliveries, although it still sends anti-mine systems, diesel generators and humanitarian aid. Opponents of the Slovak Prime Minister accuse him of taking a pro-Russian position.
Before his trip to Ukraine, Fico had sparked outrage by making derogatory comments about the neighboring country, some of which were distorted in the Ukrainian media. In an interview on Saturday, he called for a quick end to the war in Ukraine’s interests to prevent more deaths and that Russia would benefit from the further development of the war. Fico stated that it is currently unrealistic for Ukraine to succeed in liberating all occupied territories in the near future. He also made clear that Slovakia was against Ukraine’s accession to NATO and would veto it if necessary.