Slovak parliament confirms government promise to halt military aid to Ukraine

On 21 November, Slovakia's parliament approved Prime Minister Robert Fico's newly formed government along with its policy agenda, including a pledge to stop state military assistance to Ukraine, Reuters reported. Fico was re-appointed prime minister last month after his leftist SMER-SSD party won the September elections on a campaign criticizing media, Western allies, and progressive policies. His current coalition with two other left-wing parties secured parliament's vote of confidence on their program. The plan promises banking profit taxes and lower mortgage rates but also aims to curb budget shortfalls steadily, projected at nearly 7% of GDP this year. It incorporates Fico's campaign vow to end official Slovak military aid to Ukraine while respecting its territorial integrity. The policy overview also rejects eliminating national veto rights in the EU or expanding majority voting. The opposition voted against the program, objecting to Fico's attacks on independent media and his replacement of senior police investigators who had probed coalition members for corruption. During a meeting in Brussels on 14 November, Slovak Defence Minister Robert Kalinak informed NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg that Slovakia would terminate its military aid to Ukraine. Read also:

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