Slovakia to support EUR 50B Ukraine Facility - Shmyhal following Fico meeting

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and his Slovakian counterpart Robert Fico reached an agreement during their meeting in Uzhhorod on Wednesday on a number of issues, including on Slovakia’s support for the Ukraine Facility, which lays down EUR 50 billion in financial assistance to Ukraine from the European Union.

Shmyhal broke the news via X, as seen by Ukrinform.

“We have reached agreement with Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico on a number of important issues. The Slovak government will not block the purchase of weapons and equipment by Ukraine from Slovak companies. Slovakia will support the Ukraine Facility programme, which envisages the provision of 50 billion euros by the EU for Ukraine,” Shmyhal wrote.

He added that, despite political challenges, “we are developing a policy of ‘new pragmatism’ in our relations”.

In a posting on Facebook, Shmyhal noted that Fico had assured him of his full support for Ukraine’s European integration aspirations.

"Ukraine and Slovakia will pursue fruitful cooperation for the sake of the security and prosperity of our countries. We are grateful to the Slovak people, who have been helping Ukraine and Ukrainians in these difficult times," Shmyhal stressed.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, on January 20, Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico, just a day before a scheduled meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, said he opposed Ukraine's accession to NATO.

He said he would bring humanitarian aid to Uzhhorod, and once again emphasized that Slovakia will not be sending weapons to Ukraine at the government level.

Shmyhal said the talks with Fico were aimed at removing possible obstacles on the way to the adoption of of the Ukraine Facility by the EU.

Photo: Facebook Denys Shmyhal