Ukraine and Slovakia sign "mutual trust and respect" agreement
Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico and Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal, January 24, 2024, Uzhhorod. Photo: Telegram / Denys Shmyhal
Following a meeting and negotiations on Wednesday, Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico and his Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal signed a joint statement to strengthen bilateral relations "based on mutual trust and respect."
According to the Ukrainian government, the statement highlights Slovakia's firm and consistent support for Ukraine's European integration, Rubryka reports.
Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico and Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal, January 24, 2024, Uzhhorod. Photo: Telegram / Denys Shmyhal
The joint statement addresses several important issues. First, it confirms the countries' readiness for further cooperation focused on respect for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty within its internationally recognized borders. The memorandum also supports the peace formula of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and stresses Slovakia's participation in Ukraine's recovery.
The joint agreement highlights Slovakia's participation in humanitarian demining in Ukraine and joint efforts to ensure global food security and enhance transit potential for the export of Ukrainian agricultural products.
According to the statement, Ukraine and Slovakia will continue developing military-technical cooperation commercially.
Photo: Telegram / Denys Shmyhal
After the meeting with Fico in Ukraine's western city of Uzhhorod, Shmyhal announced that the Slovak government would not block Ukraine from purchasing weapons and equipment from Slovak businesses and would support the EU's Ukraine Facility program, which is set to allocate €50 billion for Ukraine.
Photo: Telegram / Denys Shmyhal
On the Wednesday morning of January 24, in the city of Uzhgorod, located near the border with Slovakia, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal began a meeting with the head of the Slovak government, Robert Fico.
After announcing his trip to Ukraine, Fico stated that a "compromise" was needed in the war between Russia and Ukraine, adding that "Russians will not leave Crimea and Donbas."
On the eve, the Slovak Prime Minister made a series of scandalous statements. In particular, he said that Ukraine would have to give up part of its territory to Russia.
When, on Tuesday, Russia again massively attacked Ukraine with missiles, including Kyiv, Fico cynically emphasized that in the Ukrainian capital, "life is absolutely normal."
What we know about Slovakia's assistance to Ukraine
Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, Slovakia has provided €671 million in military assistance to Ukraine. This included, for example, 13 MiG-29 fighter jets, the S-300 air defense missile system, about 30 infantry fighting vehicles, and ten Zuzana-2 self-propelled howitzers.
Ukraine and Slovakia have also signed a contract for the production of the Zuzana 2 self-propelled artillery.
Also, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine is in negotiations with Croatian DOK-ING and Slovak Way Industries for the localization of the production of demining machines in Ukraine.
Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová stated that Bratislava was ready to help Ukraine as quickly as possible to meet the requirements for full membership in the European Union.
On October 26, the new Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, announced that his government was stopping military assistance to Ukraine. At the same time, he stated that the government would not block the supply of weapons and ammunition to Ukraine from private manufacturers.
