New Slovakian Prime Minister announces suspension of military aid to Ukraine

This is the first European country to make such a statement regarding the issue of military aid to Ukraine.

During a meeting with the country's parliamentarians, Prime Minister Fico stated: "We support humanitarian and civil assistance to Ukraine - this will be the official policy of my Cabinet. We will no longer supply weapons to Ukraine." Mr. Fico also said that the European Union (EU) needs to change its role, from supplying weapons to Ukraine to creating peace.

Mr Fico and his government were officially appointed at a ceremony in the capital Bratislava on October 25, less than a month after he won the election with a pledge to increase social spending.

Since early October, Slovakia has "frozen" military aid to Ukraine while waiting for Mr. Fico's party to negotiate a government with other parties. Slovakia is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Slovakia was one of the strongest supporters of Ukraine after Russia launched a "special military operation" in February 2022. It was the first country to supply anti-aircraft weapons to Kiev and open its doors to Ukrainian refugees.

Prime Minister Fico still wants the Eastern European nation of 5.4 million to remain a member of the EU and NATO. However, he ran on a pledge to halt Slovakia's military aid to Kiev and restore "basic relations" between the 27-member bloc and Russia.