Despite Fico’s promises: private companies in Slovakia are actively supplying weapons to Ukraine

Slovak weapons continue to enter Ukraine despite Prime Minister Fico’s promise not to provide “a single bullet.”

This was reported in Politico.

“Although Fico has suspended official military aid to Ukraine, criticized EU sanctions against Russia, rejected the idea of Ukraine’s membership in NATO, and met with Putin, Slovakia’s private defense companies continue to sell weapons to Ukraine, while making significant profits,” the publication noted.

However, in 2024, Slovakia’s arms exports doubled compared to the previous year, to 1.15 billion euros. Moreover, this is ten times more than before the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Slovak Defense Minister Igor Meliher told the publication that the government does not prohibit private defense companies from doing business.

“We joined the EU because of the values we share. We also respect the free market. Therefore, restricting the activities of defense industry companies would be quite hypocritical on our part,” Meliher said.

He recalled that the government is keeping its promise not to send weapons from state warehouses to Ukraine. The assistance includes non-lethal support and electricity.

The publication notes that Slovak companies produce:

• 155 mm ammunition;
• Zuzana 2 self-propelled howitzers;
• detection systems and electronic warfare and communications technologies.

At the opening of the ammunition factory, Defense Minister Robert Kaliniak said: “This is not support for war, but support for trade.”

Earlier , the Slovak Foreign Minister stated that resolving Russia’s war against Ukraine requires establishing communication and admitted that the West must “forgive” Russia .

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