Slovakia to gift additional military materiel to Ukraine

The SVK Government has approved additional aid for Ukraine which has been faced with Russia's unprovoked aggression for the eighth day. As part of the aid package, Slovakia will send €32.2m in military materiel to Ukraine.

Deputy Defence Minister Marian Majer said: “Ukraine has been engaged in fierce fighting in order to defend its country and future. As well as this, it has also been fighting for values that are close to us – democracy and freedom. I am proud that we together with our NATO and EU partners and allies, and across the entirety of Slovakia, take a united and unequivocal position. That's why we have decided to help Ukraine again – of course, in a responsible manner and within our capacity.”

Adding, “Through the Defence Ministry, Slovakia is seeking to get some expenses on the military materiel gifted to Ukraine refunded via the European Peace Instrument and on the basis of bilateral agreements.”

In light of the security developments in Europe, Deputy Defence Minister Majer asked the SVK Government to endorse the presence of Allied troops in Slovakia. In addition to this, he also proposed allowing Allied air and land movements over and across Slovakia. The authorisation aims to support NATO forces in Slovakia in order to sustain the peace and stability of Allied territory, to deliver humanitarian missions, to conduct air exercises and refuelling in SVK airspace, to allow for aircraft repairs, and to transport delegations and materiel.