On his return home from Brussels, Robert Kaliňák says: “We'll help Ukraine with non-lethal systems”
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- Date: 14.06.2024
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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Robert Kaliňák took part in a two-day meeting of Allied Defence Ministers in Brussels, the last NATO Defence Ministerial before the July NATO Summit in Washington, D.C.
The central themes of the meeting were the current security situation in relation to the war in Ukraine and the opportunities to streamline practical support for building Ukrainian defence capacities. Following the Defence Ministerial in Brussels, Minister Kaliňák stated that the Alliance is not embarking on a 'big adventure' and ruled out committing ground forces to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
On the provision of aid to the people of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Minister Kaliňák reminded us that the Slovak side is constantly seeking the most effective approach – this essentially involves the delivery of demining, civilian and humanitarian assistance. “We estimate that our final contribution to Ukraine could be in the range of €50m to €100m. From our point of view, there will continue to be supplies of non-lethal systems to help mostly the civilian population in Ukraine, especially in the field of energy infrastructure,” he added.
The previous government's handover of our Air and Air Defence assets to Ukraine was called to mind as Minister Kaliňák made the case for rebuilding the nation's own defence capability. “We are currently engaged in intense negotiations to purchase a new AD system, and I hope the measures in place will make the Rotational Model for NATO IAMD more efficient. If the Alliance is to follow the path of deterrence against its rivals, then this cannot work without effective protection of Slovak airspace,” Mr Kaliňák said, noting that 2% of GDP on Defence is the minimum and at the same time the maximum the SVK Government plans to invest.
Whilst in Brussels, Ministers also agreed that the responsibility for coordinating security assistance and training for Ukraine will no longer rest on the shoulders of the United States of America, but will shift to NATO's structures.
The central themes of the meeting were the current security situation in relation to the war in Ukraine and the opportunities to streamline practical support for building Ukrainian defence capacities. Following the Defence Ministerial in Brussels, Minister Kaliňák stated that the Alliance is not embarking on a 'big adventure' and ruled out committing ground forces to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
On the provision of aid to the people of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Minister Kaliňák reminded us that the Slovak side is constantly seeking the most effective approach – this essentially involves the delivery of demining, civilian and humanitarian assistance. “We estimate that our final contribution to Ukraine could be in the range of €50m to €100m. From our point of view, there will continue to be supplies of non-lethal systems to help mostly the civilian population in Ukraine, especially in the field of energy infrastructure,” he added.
The previous government's handover of our Air and Air Defence assets to Ukraine was called to mind as Minister Kaliňák made the case for rebuilding the nation's own defence capability. “We are currently engaged in intense negotiations to purchase a new AD system, and I hope the measures in place will make the Rotational Model for NATO IAMD more efficient. If the Alliance is to follow the path of deterrence against its rivals, then this cannot work without effective protection of Slovak airspace,” Mr Kaliňák said, noting that 2% of GDP on Defence is the minimum and at the same time the maximum the SVK Government plans to invest.
Whilst in Brussels, Ministers also agreed that the responsibility for coordinating security assistance and training for Ukraine will no longer rest on the shoulders of the United States of America, but will shift to NATO's structures.
