The Slovak authorities are ready to transfer the planes, but refer to the need to negotiate with the EU.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky at the summit in Brussels officially asked Slovakia for the transfer of MiG-29 fighters. Now Slovakia will start negotiations with the European Commission on the reimbursement of this military aid.
This was stated to journalists by Prime Minister Eduard Heger.
According to him, substantive negotiations are ahead on how the transfer of aircraft can take place. Moreover, negotiations will go on with Ukraine, and with the European Commission, and with the responsible departments of Slovakia itself, which should determine the legal procedure.
Heger noted that these fighters have not been used for a long time, Slovakia does not have spare parts for them, and Russian specialists used to repair them.
“Ukraine does not attack anyone, but defends itself. Slovakia wants to help and will help Ukraine as long as I am prime minister,” Heger said.
Slovak Defense Minister Yaroslav Nagy, in turn, added that Ukraine now urgently needs these aircraft.
“We can no longer use these machines, so let’s place them where they can save human lives. And we will still return some of the money. But the decision has not yet been made,” he said.
Nagy also said that the Slovak government is considering the possibility of transferring heavy ground equipment to Ukraine as well.
Slovak MiGs for Ukraine
Last year, the Slovak authorities announced their intentions to transfer old Soviet MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine. However, the matter never progressed beyond words.
In August, these aircraft were finally removed from combat duty and once again declared their desire to transfer them to Ukraine. In return, Slovakia wants to receive money from the European Union or military equipment from NATO.
During his visit to Brussels on February 9, President Zelensky reminded the Slovak prime minister of his pledge last year to transfer fighter jets to Ukraine.
Source: Unian