Slovak President’s spokesperson explains statement on halting military aid to Ukraine

The President of Slovakia’s spokesperson has explained the words of her spokesperson that Zuzana Čaputová did not support the transfer of a new military aid package to Ukraine due to the change of government.

This stance would have an opposite course to the current government’s policy of support for Ukraine to help it repel the Russian invasion.

Jana Kobzova, Foreign Policy Advisor to the President of Slovakia, in a commentary to the European Pravda media, explained the statement:

“The current outgoing Slovak government has constitutionally limited powers. The political parties currently negotiating the possible formation of a government are against providing military assistance to Ukraine,” Kobzova explained.

Therefore, according to President Čaputová, the spokeswoman emphasised that approval of a military aid package by the current outgoing government would set a risky precedent for a change of government after any future elections.

“President Čaputová is consulting with all political leaders on the formation of the future government and will continue to support the provision of military assistance to Ukraine by any government with full powers,” Kobzova said.

Slovakia prepared military aid for Ukraine but “held back” after the election

Ms Kobzova emphasised that the military assistance provided by Slovakia to Ukraine is the largest the country has ever offered. Regarding per capita, it is one of the largest provided by any other EU country.

“President Čaputová has been a strong supporter of this assistance from the beginning and has been in touch with the government to support it, including after President Zelenskyy’s recent visit to Slovakia in July,” Kobzova said.

The day before, the media in Slovakia reported that the country’s Ministry of Defense was considering providing Ukraine with another military aid package. It could have been delivered during the presidency of the technocratic government of Ludovita Odora, but President Čaputová opposed the plan.

In a commentary to Dennik N, Čaputová’s spokesman Martin Stryzhynets explained that Čaputová “agreed with the prime minister that the results of democratic elections should be respected in this matter.”

The pro-Russian politician Robert Fico and the party Smer-SD he leads received the most votes in the early parliamentary elections in Slovakia. On Monday, Fico was given two weeks to form a government.

However, Fico needs to convince the third party in the election, Hlas (Voice), to join the coalition and one more small party expected to be the far-right.

Robert Fico has previously declared his intention to stop military and political support for Ukraine.

Read also: Pro-Russian populist Robert Fico wins the Slovakia election