Slovakia has provided its S-300 air-defence system to Ukraine, Prime Minister Eduard Heger has reported via his social networks on Friday. He is currently visiting Kyiv. The premier maintains that the provision of the system doesn't mean that Slovakia has become part of the armed conflict in Ukraine and assured the public that Slovakia's defence capability remains in place and will be reinforced in the next few days by an additional defence system from its allies.
As the premier further explained, Slovakia donated the system on the basis of Ukraine's request for assistance in self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter as a direct consequence of armed aggression by Russia. According to television channel Markiza, it took two days to transport the system to Ukraine.
Previously, Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad (OLaNO) confirmed Slovakia's willingness to provide Ukraine with the S-300 system if Slovakia found an adequate replacement for it. He declared that the Government would not take into account any threats from "warmongers from Moscow" when making its decision.
Source: TASR
