Slovakia’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Robert Fico, has wasted no time in fulfilling a campaign promise. Fico has announced the cessation of military aid to Ukraine, stating that any assistance provided to Ukraine will be limited to humanitarian and civil aid, with the supply of weapons being discontinued.
This decision, made shortly after Fico’s coalition government was sworn in, represents a significant shift in Slovakia’s foreign policy. The left-wing populist, who leads the Smer-SD party, had previously signaled his intention to terminate military aid to Ukraine during the election campaign. His coalition government, comprising an ultra-right party and a left-wing party, reflects this commitment.
Slovakia, as a member of the European Union and NATO, had been a staunch supporter of Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. However, under Fico’s leadership, the country is expected to pivot its foreign policy closer to Hungary’s position.
Fico’s campaign promises included a commitment to not supply any ammunition to Ukraine and advocated for improved relations with Russia. Following his election victory, Fico emphasized that Slovakia had “bigger problems” to address than the situation in Ukraine, and he called for peace talks.
In response to Slovakia’s decision, the Kremlin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, downplayed the impact of the move, noting that the share of Slovakia’s arms deliveries to Ukraine had been relatively small.
The shift in Slovakia’s stance regarding military aid to Ukraine raises questions about the future of the country’s foreign policy and its relationship with neighboring nations in the region.
