Slovakia cancels 40.3 million Euro military aid package to Ukraine

Slovakia's new government has rejected a previously drafted plan for the country's final military aid package to neighboring Ukraine, local media reported on November 8.

The 40.3 million euro aid package, agreed by the EU and NATO member state's caretaker government before the transfer of power, includes 4 million rounds of rifle ammunition, 5,172 125 mm artillery shells, 140 Kub anti-aircraft missiles, eight mortars and 1,200 mines, state news agency TASR said.

Since Russia began its campaign in Ukraine last February, Slovakia has been a staunch supporter of Kiev and the previous centre-right government has provided military equipment including combat vehicles as well as S-300 air defence systems and Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets.

In total, the country that shares a border with Ukraine in the east has sent 13 military aid packages worth 671 million euros.

A MIG-29 fighter jet flies near an air base in Malacky, Slovakia, August 2022. Photo: NY Times

The government of Slovakia's new Prime Minister Robert Fico refused to approve a final military aid package for Ukraine at a cabinet meeting on November 8, less than a month after taking office.

Mr Fico's left-wing SMER party won a general election in September on a promise to end military aid to Ukraine, stem immigration and protect Slovakia's sovereignty.

On October 26, a day after being sworn in, Mr. Fico told lawmakers that Slovakia would “no longer supply weapons to Ukraine,” repeating promises made during his election campaign, but would still provide humanitarian aid to its neighbor.

“An immediate halt to military operations is the best solution we can offer Ukraine. The EU should change from an arms supplier to a peacemaker,” the new Slovak prime minister said at the time.

However, Mr. Fico did not say whether Slovakia, which shares a border with Ukraine and has rail and road links to the country, would continue to serve as a transit route for weapons supplied by other Western countries.

Poland is the main transit country for such shipments, but Slovakian territory is also used to transport weapons from the Czech Republic and several other countries .

Minh Duc (According to Reuters, Le Monde, NY Times)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/slovakia-huy-goi-vien-tro-quan-su-403-trieu-euro-cho-ukraine-a634918.html