Slovakia’s new government under centre-left nationalist Prime Minister Robert Fičo on Wednesday canceled the delivery of a package of arms and ammunition to Ukraine prepared by its predecessor.
Mr. Fico, who returned to the post of Slovakia’s prime minister on October 25, for a fourth term, had announced before the election that, if he won, Bratislava would continue to provide humanitarian aid to Kiev, but would stop deliveries of arms and ammunition.
After taking power again, he repeated his plan, which provoked a storm of reactions among Slovakia’s NATO allies and from the opposition, which accuses him of being “pro-Russian”.
The package included mainly ammunition and its value was estimated at 40 billion euros. It was drawn up before the September elections, but the caretaker government was unable to secure its approval.
Mr. Fico, however, assures that Slovakia remains committed to meeting its NATO obligations and clarifies that sales of arms and ammunition by private companies will continue to be approved, despite his decision to cancel the aid package whose costs would have been covered by the Slovak public.
SOURCE: AMPE
Tags: Slovakias government canceled supply ammunition Ukraine
