Slovakia Seeks EU Compensation for Weapons Donated to Ukraine

Prime Minister Robert Fico announced that Slovakia will demand compensation from the European Union for the military equipment it donated to Ukraine. The donations, made in 2022‑2023, totaled about €700 million (roughly $800 million) and included Soviet‑era MiG‑29 fighter jets, S‑300 air‑defence systems, tanks and infantry fighting vehicles. Fico halted further state‑funded arms transfers and plans to raise the issue at the EU summit in Brussels on 18‑19 June.

Fico criticised the previous government for leaving Slovakia “unprotected” after the transfers and said the earlier agreement to replace the donated gear with Western‑made hardware, mainly German, was insufficient because Berlin had pledged to replace only half of the items. The move highlights growing tensions within the EU over continued military support for Ukraine and the economic and energy implications for member states.