Slovakia has already received the first €40 million from the European Peace Facility (EPF) for the military assistance it's provided to Ukraine, interim Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad (OLaNO) told TASR, adding that the country should receive a further €40 million at the turn of the year. According to Nad, the Defence Ministry immediately used the money to purchase ammunition and equipment for the army.
Since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Slovakia has donated aid to Kiev amounting to €168 million. The aid included the S-300 missile system, the Bozena demining system, five helicopters, ammunition, fuel, firearms and infantry fighting vehicles. Further help was the donation of 30 BVP-1 infantry fighting vehicles, for which Slovakia will receive 15 Leopard 2A4 battle tanks from Germany.
The European Peace Facility (EPF) was established in 2021 with the aim of strengthening the security and defense capabilities of the members of the European Union (EU) and its partners and to support the preservation of peace, international security and stability in the world. It was supposed to finance, for example, the purchase of military equipment to support countries in Africa. The war in Ukraine led to a reassessment of the EU's priorities. By 2027, the amount available in the fund should be EUR 5.7 billion.
(TASR)
