"I support the suspension of military aid to Ukraine... The immediate cessation of military operations is the best solution we can do for Ukraine. The EU should change, move from supplying weapons to creating peace," new Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico shared on October 26.
Robert Fico told MPs that Slovakia would “no longer supply weapons to Ukraine”, repeating his campaign pledge. However, the new prime minister insisted that Slovakia would still provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico. (Photo: Reuters)
Mr Fico also spoke out against Western sanctions against Russia: “I will not vote for any sanctions against Russia. If the sanctions are harmful to Slovakia, as most of the previous sanctions were, I will not vote for them.”
Slovakia has been a strong supporter of Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. It has provided Kiev with a range of weapons, including a fleet of Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets.
Prime Minister Robert Fico's change of heart has raised concerns about a rift within the West over military aid to Ukraine.
Bloomberg News recently reported that the European Union (EU) is lagging behind in delivering on its promise to provide Ukraine with one million artillery shells next spring, with some EU members asking Brussels to extend the delivery date.
On the other hand, the US has also called on the EU to step up its efforts on this front. About 10 EU countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and the Baltic states, have delivered or are planning to deliver a total of 300,000 to 400,000 artillery shells to Kiev. Several other countries have placed orders worth more than $50 million, with production expected to begin next year.
In recent months, the US and EU have struggled to provide Ukraine with much-needed weapons amid its ineffective counter-offensive against Russia. In addition, the conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip is also expected to affect Western aid to Kiev.
Russia has repeatedly warned the West not to provide military aid to Ukraine, arguing that this would only prolong the conflict and make Western countries direct participants in the war.
Kong Anh (Source: AFP)
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