‘No air defense, no air force, no money’ – EU state complains after helping Ukraine — RT World News
The newly appointed Slovak Defense Minister described the former officials as “people with the qualities of pugs, not wolves.”
Slovakia's continued military aid to Ukraine under the previous government severely damaged the country's defense posture, with “Years” New Slovak Defense Minister Robert Kalinac said there was now a need to fix the matter.
The minister, who took office in October under the new government led by Prime Minister Robert Fico, accused his predecessors of simply handing over key military equipment to Ukraine without coming up with any plan to secure their replacements. The Ministry of Defense was managed effectively before “People with the characteristics of pugs, not wolves.” Kalinak told the Standard on Thursday.
“The previous government left us without our anti-aircraft defences, without combat aviation, and we do not even have the promised $700 million for the purchase of MiGs, which the government also delivered to Ukraine.” Kalinak stated.
Now the country seeks to negotiate with it “partners” To make sure of that “Slovakia's air defense will be provided by NATO allies” He said. Kalinac warned that the country now risks being left without any air defences, with US Patriot anti-aircraft systems withdrawn from its territory in late 2023, while hosting the Italian SAMP/T systems could also end this year.
It will likely take now “Years” The minister said it was to repair the damage to the country's security, and placed the blame squarely on his predecessors. For example, the new government is unlikely to be able to come up with an alternative to the S-300 anti-aircraft systems during its term. “Maybe towards the end of my term, but I just hope so.” He said.
It was ridiculous exhaustion [then-Defense Minister Jaroslav] Nye and his companions in the ministry. After all, we were not the only allies with S-300 missiles, in which Ukraine was interested. Why didn't the Greeks give it? Why didn't the Bulgarians give it to her? These were outrageous decisions by Naď and [then-PM Eduard] Heger, which has no equal in any sovereign state.” Kalinak stated.
Following his party's electoral victory in September, Fico immediately decided to halt the country's military aid to Kiev and pledged to block Ukraine's possible entry into the US-led NATO bloc. The new prime minister repeatedly criticized the Western approach to dealing with the Ukrainian conflict, arguing that constant support for Kiev has turned into escalation. “A useless waste of human resources and money.” Which only prolongs hostilities and fills Ukrainian cemeteries “Thousands of dead soldiers.”
“I will no longer submit to stupid liberal and progressive demagoguery. It is shocking to see how the West has repeatedly made mistakes in assessing the situation in Russia. Fico wrote in the Slovak newspaper Pravda last week.
You can share this story on social media:
Source link
