Slovakia's New Government Denies Aid to Ukraine

Slovakia's new left-populist government, led by Prime Minister Robert Fico, has rejected a proposed package of military aid for Ukraine, fulfilling a campaign promise to halt assistance in the war against Russia. The aid package, worth approximately $43 million, included rockets and ammunition. This decision reflects growing fatigue among NATO supporters of Ukraine as Russia's invasion nears the two-year mark. Slovakia had previously been one of Ukraine's strongest backers, but Fico argued that the people in Slovakia have bigger problems. The rejection of aid comes as Ukraine's relations with other key supporters, such as Poland and the United States, have also faced challenges. However, there is a bright spot for Kyiv as the European Commission has recommended opening formal membership negotiations with Ukraine, marking a crucial milestone in its quest to become an EU member.