**Title: Slovakia to Seek Compensation from EU for Military Aid to Ukraine**
**Bratislava, Slovakia** – Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico has announced plans to demand compensation from the European Union for military equipment donated to Ukraine during the previous administration. In a video address shared on Facebook, Fico criticized the former government led by Eduard Heger, accusing it of misleading the public regarding the aid deal.
Since taking office in 2023, Fico has halted all state-sponsored military aid and weapons transfers to Ukraine. He contended that the Heger administration left Slovakia vulnerable by donating significant military assets, including fighter jets and air-defense systems, to support Ukraine amid its ongoing conflict with Russia.
The military assistance provided by the Heger government included dozens of Soviet-era tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, MiG-29 jets, and S-300 missile systems. According to the German Kiel Institute for the World Economy, Slovakia transferred military equipment valued at approximately €700 million (around $809.8 million) to Ukraine between 2022 and 2023.
Fico plans to raise the issue of compensation during the upcoming EU summit, emphasizing the need for financial restitution for the military aid provided. He criticized the previous agreement, which stipulated that the donated equipment would be replaced with Western-made hardware, primarily supplied by Germany. The Slovak Defense Ministry had previously argued that the arrangement was inadequate, as Berlin committed to replacing only about half of the equipment sent to Ukraine.
The Prime Minister has been vocal in his opposition to the EU's approach toward Russia, including the provision of military support to Ukraine and the imposition of sanctions on Moscow. Fico's stance has been consistent, as he was the only EU leader to attend this year's Victory Day commemorations in Moscow, where he cautioned against the emergence of a "new Iron Curtain" and advocated for renewed dialogue between the West and Russia.
In his recent remarks, Fico expressed frustration over discussions with European Council President Antonio Costa, suggesting that the EU's current policies are detrimental to its member states. He claimed that the bloc is engaged in a prolonged conflict against Russia, which he believes is harming the EU's competitiveness and contributing to soaring energy prices.
Fico's administration has also highlighted the need for a more balanced approach to foreign policy, arguing that the EU's refusal to engage in meaningful dialogue with Moscow is counterproductive. He reiterated that Russia has expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue, countering claims that Moscow is not interested in peace negotiations.
As Slovakia prepares to address these issues at the EU summit, the implications of Fico's demands for compensation and his broader critique of EU policy toward Russia will be closely monitored by both domestic and international observers. The outcome of these discussions may have significant ramifications for Slovakia's foreign policy and its relationship with other EU member states.