SLOVAKIA RECEIVES ANOTHER PACKAGE OF EU FUNDING FOR ITS ARMS ASSISTANCE TO UKRAINE

Slovakia has recently received an additional reimbursement of €41.9m from the European Peace Facility (EPF) fund for the arms assistance it has provided to Ukraine and the Ukrainian Armed Forces – which have been fiercely fighting off the Russian Federation's unprovoked and senseless aggression for almost 11 months now. The EPF's funding will go towards purchasing munitions and new equipment for the Slovak Armed Forces, the Ministry of Defence has said.

Speaking of Slovakia's enduring commitment to Ukraine, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: ”With its set of values anchored clearly, Slovakia has behaved responsibly in delivering its assistance to Ukraine since the start of Russiaʼs invasion. Thanks to this, it is a reliable and constructive partner in the eyes of its allies. We remain committed to assisting Ukraine materially, humanitarian-wise, and militarily and to helping it free itself from the hands of the aggressor.”

As well as this, Slovakia received a refund of €40.2mil from the EPF at the end of last year, Minister Naď reminded, adding that discussions are underway at the level of the EU to gradually raise the funding ceiling on this off-budget instrument to ensure a sustainable flow of support to Ukraine.

Since the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Slovakia has donated €167.8m in aid to Ukraine. Slovak military aid to Ukraine has so far included the S-300 air defence (AD) system, Božena mine-clearing unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), five helicopters, small arms, munitions and fuel. Another aid project has seen 30 tracked BVP-1 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) transferred to Ukraine in exchange for 15 Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks (MBTs) to be delivered in stages from the Federal Republic of Germany.

Operational since 2021, the European Peace Facility (EPF) aims to reinforce the security and defence capabilities of EU Member States and its partners and to preserve peace and international security and stability in the world.