Slovakia on Friday became the second of Ukraine’s supporters to supply MIG-29 fighter jets which Kyiv believes are pivotal to repel Russia’s year-long invasion.
Slovakia joined Poland, which announced its delivery of the airplanes on Thursday. Both NATO members are neighbours of Ukraine.
Slovakia will also supply part of its KUB air-defence system, Prime Minister Eduard Heger said.
“Today, the government decided and unanimously approved an international agreement (on the donation),” Heger said. ”
“The process of handing over these fighter jets is nearly coordinated with the Polish side, with Ukraine and, of course, with other supporters,” he said.
Slovakia will receive financial compensation the European Union. It has also reached an agreement with the United States on deliveries of military material worth around $700 million, Heger said.
NATO confederates in the former communist east similar as Poland and Slovakia have been particularly oral supporters of Kyiv since Russia raided Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022.
On Thursday, Poland enunciated it would send Ukraine four MiG-29 fighter jets in coming days, making it the first of Kyiv’s supporters to deliver similar aircraft.
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Western countries that have provided Ukraine with arms have so far declined to send fighter jets.
Slovakia ordered F-16 fighter jets from the United States in 2018 to replace the ageing MiG-29 airplanes. The first U.S.- made airplanes are expected to arrive in 2024 after a delay.
Heger’s government is ruling in a caretaker capacity until early elections set for September, which made the opposition and even some members of the ruling coalition question whether the cabinet is permitted to decide on similar thing as the MiGs.
