Slovakia to Transfer Two Demining Vehicles to Ukraine in 2024 and Continue Humanitarian Aid
Slovakia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Juraj Blanar, confirmed on Monday the country's intention to extend humanitarian support to Ukraine, particularly by providing demining equipment. The head of the Slovak Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized Slovakia's commitment to assisting Ukrainians during winter, directing humanitarian aid in that direction, and preparing assistance in demining, as reported by the Slovak news agency TERAZ.
"A financial contribution from the Slovak Republic will fund the production of two demining vehicles, Božena IV, which are expected to be in service in the Kherson region early next year," stated a senior Slovak official after the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting.
Slovakia has previously assisted Ukraine in demining efforts, having already transferred 10 remotely operated demining systems, Bozena-4 and Bozena-5, of Slovak production.
It's worth noting that one of the pre-election promises of Slovakia's new Prime Minister, Robert Fico, was to cease military assistance to Ukraine, a commitment he reiterated after being elected. However, Fico assures that this denial pertains only to the transfer of weapons from Slovak military arsenals and does not interfere with commercial activities. This position was reaffirmed by Slovakia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Juraj Blanar, on Monday.
The Slovak Prime Minister also pledged to do everything possible to provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine, including the possibility of offering medical assistance and support for the restoration of civil infrastructure.
Additionally, The Gaze reported that Slovakia intends to switch to American and French nuclear fuel, despite criticism from pro-Russian nationalists in the Slovak National Party. According to Slovakia's Minister of Economy, Denisa Sakova, the commitment to reject Russian nuclear fuel extends not only to Slovakia but also to the European Union. Discussions on this matter took place with the director of the nuclear power plant Slovenské elektrárne, which in August announced plans to collaborate with the American company Westinghouse.