Shmyhal and Fico sign a statement of «trust and respect»: details

Following a meeting with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Uzhhorod today, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal signed a joint statement with him. The document aims to enhance bilateral relations «on the basis of mutual trust and respect».

The Ukrainian prime minister shared this development on his Telegram account.

The statement underscores Slovakia’s «firm and consistent support for Ukraine’s European integration».

It also expresses endorsement for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s «peace formula» and highlights the significance of Slovakia’s involvement in Ukraine’s recovery, along with the appointment of a Deputy Prime Minister for the Recovery, Resilience, and Knowledge Economy Plan of the Slovak Republic.

The statement reiterates the importance of Slovakia’s engagement in the humanitarian demining of Ukraine and acknowledges the joint efforts needed to ensure global food security and enhance transit potential for Ukrainian agricultural exports.

The prime ministers emphasized the importance of fostering military-technical cooperation on a commercial basis.

They further affirmed their readiness for continued collaboration aimed at upholding the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

Following the meeting with Fico in Uzhhorod, Shmyhal stated that the Slovak government would not impede Ukraine’s procurement of weapons and equipment from Slovak businesses. Additionally, they expressed support for the Ukraine Facility program, which entails the allocation of €50 billion to Ukraine by the EU.

As a reminder, on January 20, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, before meeting with Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, voiced his opposition to Ukraine’s accession to NATO. He pledged to bring humanitarian aid with him to Uzhhorod and reiterated that Slovakia would not provide weapons to Ukraine at the state level.