Slovakia's new Prime Minister, Robert Fico, has promised to stop military aid to Ukraine, but said he does not intend to impede the export of private defense companies. This was reported by Reuters.
Slovakia, as a NATO member, is home to manufacturers of artillery ammunition and heavy military equipment, including howitzers, some of which are supplied to Ukraine.
Robert Fico campaigned for the election, during which his party won the September 30 election. In his campaign, he criticized Western support for Ukraine, sanctions against Russia, and US foreign policy.
The Prime Minister confirmed that Slovakia would stop supplying weapons and military equipment from army warehouses, but emphasized that this would not affect private business.
"We have communicated very clearly, and I want to communicate - we are talking about weapons, ammunition from the Slovak army warehouses, and state materials," Fico said after his inaugural meeting with Defense Minister Robert Kalinak. - "When a company wants to produce weapons and send them somewhere, no one will prevent it".
Fico said that the government will take an inventory of Slovak equipment and ammunition stocks and will prioritize their replenishment. He emphasized that strengthening the air defense of the NATO country is another priority.
The country's previous center-right government strongly supported Ukraine and supplied military equipment, including combat vehicles, as well as S-300 air defense systems and MiG-29 aircraft.
