Slovakia will not take part in any European Union program aimed at financing military aid to Ukraine in its war against the Russian invasion, Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Sunday.
Slovakia halted state military aid to Ukraine when Fico’s government came to power in 2023, although it has continued to allow commercial sales.
EU leaders agreed on Thursday to meet Ukraine’s urgent financial needs for the next two years but failed to approve a plan to use frozen Russian assets to fund a €140 billion loan to Kyiv, according to Reuters.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the money could be used immediately to strengthen air defense, the air fleet, and frontline positions.
“I refuse to allow Slovakia to participate in any financial scheme aimed at helping Ukraine manage the war and its military expenses,” Fico declared at a press conference.
He also criticized EU sanctions against Russia, arguing that they hurt Europe more than Moscow.
Slovakia and Hungary, both importers of Russian energy, now face U.S. sanctions targeting the Russian oil companies Rosneft and Lukoil, expected to take effect next month.
