As part of NATO, Slovakia's defence industry focuses mostly on the provision of sustainable aid to Ukraine, Defence Minister Martin Sklenar stated on Wednesday after the first part of the two-day summit of NATO ministers in Brussels. Sklenar pointed out that a contact group for the defence of Ukraine, led by the United States, met on Wednesday. Later, a NATO-Ukraine Council summit was held and the ministers held talks with their Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov. These meetings send a strong signal regarding the development of ties between both parties, added Sklenar. "These ties revolve to a large degree around the ongoing war in Ukraine, but they also define a change in the relations, which are on a more equal footing now, and reflect that not only NATO is helping Ukraine, but the experience that Ukraine acquires from battlefields is invaluable for us in the planning of our own capabilities and development of our plans," said the minister. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked the allies in Brussels for more weapons to help with the defence of his country. Denmark and Belgium promised to supply Kiev with F-16 fighter jets. Sklenar underlined that NATO is showing unequivocally its undying support for Ukraine. "This is not a war that Ukraine has chosen or anyone in NATO. Our primary interest, and there is a consensus on this among all of the member countries, is to continue the support, as it's important for our own security too and not just the liberation of Ukraine," said Sklenar.
(TASR)
