President of Slovakia comments on participation in Czech initiative on shells for Ukraine

The new president of Slovakia, Peter Pellegrini, has said that his country is participating in the Czech initiative to purchase shells for Ukraine. In particular, the ammunition purchased is being upgraded at Slovak factories.

Source: Peter Pellegrini, at a press conference with Czech President Petr Pavel in Prague; European Pravda with reference to Pravda

Pellegrini said that Bratislava supports Kyiv in things that are not often discussed, for example, in the supply of electricity to prevent the collapse of the Ukrainian energy system. The head of state also confirmed that Slovakia supports the Czech initiative in the purchase of ammunition for Ukraine, which the Slovaks also joined.

Quote from Peter Pellegrini: "With our production facilities, we will make a significant contribution to the success of Czech ammunition activity. Slovakia has increased production at its factories, where ammunition of the necessary calibres is produced or restored."

A significant part of the ammunition collected thanks to the Czech initiative will eventually be processed or produced directly at Slovak factories.

Pellegrini has already scheduled a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It will take place either this week in Brussels during a European Council meeting or during the upcoming NATO summit in Washington.

At the same time, the head of state said that Bratislava would agree with the plans of the North Atlantic Alliance to further support Ukraine at the NATO summit in July. However, it will not send Slovak soldiers to Ukraine, even if it is only part of a training mission.

Petr Pavel replied that some politicians in Slovakia and the Czech Republic emphasise the need for peace but talk less about supporting Ukraine. The head of the Czech state believes it is necessary to do both. 

Quote from Pavel: "Russia's current proposals, if you can call it that, are a demand for Ukraine's surrender. They [proposals – ed.] are not a realistic negotiation entry."

It should be noted that the government of Robert Fico, after coming to power, said that Slovakia would not provide military support to Ukraine and stood for a peaceful solution to the conflict.

At the same time, Robert Fico's government has not stopped commercial arms supplies to Kyiv and officially supports the recovery of Ukraine's territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.

Background:

• Robert Fico described the very successful Slovak fundraising for ammunition for Ukraine as a "symbolic gesture" and compared it to "farting". 

• On 25 June, it became known that the first batch of ammunition in the framework of the Czech initiative to purchase shells for Ukraine was delivered successfully.

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