Statement by Slovakian PM Robert Fico

It is fundamentally important to me that many NATO member countries have shown interest in engaging in dialogue with Russia, which I have welcomed and supported for a long time. Although the final documents of the summit included a statement about allocating an additional $70 billion in military aid to Ukraine, Slovakia clearly defended its sovereign and peaceful position even before the start of the summit.

After a telephone conversation with the Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte, last Thursday, we exchanged letters and mutually confirmed that Slovakia will not be part of this military financial assistance to Ukraine.We acted similarly in the case of the €90 billion military credit, which was being discussed at the level of the European Union.We stand for cooperation, for dialogue, and for humanitarian aid, but not for war.