Slovakia is preparing a new military support package for Ukraine, marking the first such assistance in nearly two years, Interfax-Ukraine reported.
The aid will focus on engineering and mine countermeasures capabilities.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák said defense cooperation was a key topic during a recent meeting between Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Kaliňák also visited Kyiv to explore potential projects to expand what he described as “already quite comprehensive defense cooperation” with his Ukrainian counterpart, Denys Shmyhal.
Slovakia’s Aid for Kyiv
The announcement signals a policy shift after Slovakia cut direct military assistance to Ukraine in late 2023, limiting support to humanitarian and non-lethal supplies.
The government rejected a 14th military aid package for Ukraine in November 2023, valued at 40.3 million euros ($47 million), Interfax-Ukraine reported.
Before that, Bratislava provided extensive support to Kyiv, sending 13 shipments of military equipment, including artillery ammunition, while also expanding its own defense production capacity.
In July 2023, the two nations signed an agreement to jointly develop a 155 mm self-propelled howitzer based on Slovakia’s Eva gun.
A month earlier, Ukraine, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic signed a trilateral declaration to coordinate procurement of CV90 infantry fighting vehicles, covering production, operation, training, and maintenance.
Earlier in 2023, Bratislava also received a US offer of $1 billion in helicopters and missiles at a discounted rate in exchange for its commitment to send MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine.
