During signing a cooperation agreement between their ministries in Bratislava, Slovak Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák and Czech Defense Minister Jana Černochová agreed that NATO would likely lose its purpose without the United States.
According to Kaliňák, NATO's transatlantic connection would be in jeopardy if the US were to withdraw. However, both ministers dismissed any immediate concerns about the US leaving the alliance, citing reassurances that the US has no intention of exiting NATO.
The ministers also discussed defense spending, with both Slovakia and the Czech Republic committed to increasing defense budgets. Kaliňák appealed to Prime Minister Robert Fico’s call for dual-use military investments, like the planned military hospital in Prešov, which could serve Poland and Hungary in times of crisis. They also addressed military aid to Ukraine and while Černochová confirmed the Czech Republic’s ongoing commitment to supporting Ukraine, Kaliňák raised concerns over whether more military aid would lead to a better chance for peace in the near future.
Source: TASR
