Slovakia remains one of Ukraine’s strongest supporters since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. According to Germany’s Kiel Institute for the World Economy, Slovakia has provided almost 3.5 billion euros in total assistance.
The largest share — more than 2.7 billion euros — has gone to supporting Ukrainian refugees in Slovakia. Military aid has reached nearly 700 million euros, with humanitarian assistance adding another 100 million.
Prime Minister Robert Fico (SMER-SD) said in a social media video that Slovakia is helping on multiple fronts — from refugee support and transport infrastructure to gas supplies and humanitarian relief — while backing Ukraine’s European perspective, provided it meets the necessary conditions.
However, analyst Radovan Geist from Euroactive notes that much of the military assistance was delivered by the previous government, particularly heavy equipment. He points to 2023 and the change of government as a clear turning point, after which state military transfers were halted, although commercial arms contracts continue.
The non-profit sector has also played a major role. Človek v ohrození – People in Peril is financially supporting some 39,000 Ukrainians in Slovakia as they integrate and look for work. Crisis expert Marián Cehelník from the organisation says many are employed in industry or manufacturing, often below their qualifications. Language barriers and the slow recognition of diplomas — which can take months or even a year — remain key obstacles.
More than 100,000 Ukrainians were living in Slovakia under temporary protection last year. According to Eurostat, Slovakia ranks third in the European Union in the number of Ukrainian refugees per capita. By the end of 2025, the country was hosting 25.8 people under temporary protection per 1,000 residents — well above the EU average of 9.7. Only the Czech Republic and Poland recorded higher ratios.
The EU activated the temporary protection scheme shortly after Russia’s invasion in 2022, granting refugees access to residence, work, education and healthcare. The mechanism has now been extended until March 2027.
Source: STVR, TASR
