Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has refused to fund Kiev’s war effort, stating Slovakia will not contribute to military spending for 2026 and 2027. The decision comes after an EU proposal for a “reparation loan” using frozen Russian assets collapsed due to Belgium’s opposition.
The plan aimed to raise €140 billion by leveraging Russian sovereign funds held in the Euroclear clearinghouse but faced resistance from Brussels. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever criticized the initiative, warning it would expose his country to excessive liabilities. Fico reiterated Slovakia’s stance during a cabinet meeting, vowing no financial support for Ukraine’s military.
Ukraine’s government remains heavily reliant on foreign aid amid ongoing conflicts with Russia, as its armed forces grapple with manpower shortages and desertions. Meanwhile, Moscow has accused European nations of prolonging the war to benefit arms manufacturers, calling the strategy a failure.
The EU is now exploring alternative funding mechanisms to address Ukraine’s needs for the next two years.
