The Slovak prime minister announced on Friday that Slovakia will give 13 MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine, making it the second NATO country to do so after Poland.
“We will hand over 13 of our MiG-19 jets to Ukraine, Slovak premier Eduard Heger told journalists. Adding that Bratislava would also deliver a Kub air defence system to Ukraine. Eduard Heger, Prime Minister of Slovakia, at the press conference on Friday.
Heger said at the briefing that the government had unanimously approved an agreement to donate MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine. And would provide the aircraft jointly with Poland.
“Today, the government unanimously approved an international agreement on the basis of decision was made to provide Ukraine with MiGs. And a part of the Kub air defence system,” Aktuality quoted Heger as saying.
He stressed that the fighter jets would serve to protect Ukrainians and not be used for offence.
Slovakia is to receive €900 million in compensation from its allies for the fighter jets.
The fighter jets are still in Slovakia, and Defence Minister Nad did not say at the briefing when they would be handed over to Ukraine.
Slovakia announced its decision the day after Polish President Andrzej Duda announced the transfer of four MiG-29s to Ukraine in the coming days
Countries along the NATO military alliance’s eastern flank, like Poland and Slovakia, have been strong backers of Ukraine since Russia invaded Ukraine last year.
Warsaw’s commitment to its neighbours has been important in persuading European allies to donate heavy weapons to Ukraine, including tanks, a move opposed by several governments, including Germany, until recently.
