Slovakia benefits from collective defense through its NATO membership but must also be able to defend itself before allies arrive, President Peter Pellegrini said during a visit to the NATO Force Integration Unit in Bratislava's Vajnory district.
Pellegrini emphasized the importance of Slovakia contributing to a stronger European defense pillar within NATO, in line with U.S. calls for greater EU responsibility. He stressed that defense spending must be efficient.
He added that Slovakia’s absence from the so-called "coalition of the willing" should not be seen negatively, as many such initiatives have proven premature.
Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák (Smer-SD) highlighted Slovakia's commitment by deploying troops to NATO’s multinational brigade in the Baltics. He also acknowledged differing views within the coalition, particularly with the Slovak National Party.
Source: TASR
