The two leaders confirmed that talks are underway for Slovakia’s delivery of Sz-300 anti-aircraft missile systems to Ukraine, but Nad stressed that this can only happen if Slovakia receives sufficient compensation to protect its airspace.
As allies, we are ready to help Ukraine together
Austin emphasized, adding that the Kyiv government had so far been able to prevent the Russians from gaining control of the airspace over Ukraine. As he said, their common goal is to support the Ukrainian army with effective tools.
The US Defense Secretary also welcomed Slovakia’s humanitarian efforts on behalf of Ukrainian refugees. Austin has repeatedly refused to establish a no-fly zone, but has condemned Russian air strikes against civilians.
Talks between the two defense ministers also affected Slovakia’s commitments to NATO, according to local news agency TASR. Nad stressed that an adjustment to defense spending to 2 percent of GDP should not be objective but rather should not be a minimum. In this context, he noted, many NATO members have already announced plans to increase their defense spending to 2.5% of GDP or even 3%.
The two ministers also discussed the modernization of the Slovak army to achieve NATO goals.
TASR recalled the last time the US Secretary of Defense visited Slovakia 20 years ago. A club hailed the meeting as a sign of “friendship, alliance and excellent relations”.
Slovenian Defense Minister Matej Tonin said Thursday that Ljubljana will send a military unit of about two hundred to reinforce NATO’s eastern flank in Slovakia. “Slovakia can count on Slovenia,” Tonin was quoted as saying by local news agency STA.
Cover image source: Getty Images
