EU state should demand money back from Ukraine
Andrej Danko, chairman of the Slovak National Party and a key figure in the ruling coalition, opined in a Facebook video on Monday that Bratislava has the right to demand repayment of its €3.5 billion ($3.8 billion) contribution.
Reflecting on reports that Washington is negotiating a deal in which Ukraine could hand over 50% of its critical minerals as compensation for US aid, Danko questioned what the EU would receive in return for its assistance.
The proposed agreement, reportedly granting the US extensive rights to Ukraine's natural resources, seeks to offset what Washington claims is $500 billion in military and economic aid to Kiev.
'And I will ask about Slovakia,' Danko stated. 'How will Slovakia return the €3.5 billion we sent there?' he questioned, stressing that the sum represents a significant amount of money for the EU nation.
'And I want to say that if the Germans, the French and Americans ask for their money back, Slovakia cannot remain silent,' the politician stated.
On Monday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Kiev to mark the three-year anniversary of the Ukraine conflict, unveiling a €3.5 billion package of EU financial assistance to inject additional liquidity into the nation's strained budget. The sum is an advance payment from the EU's larger €50-billion ($54 billion) assistance fund set up in early 2024.
Separately, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Monday expressed optimism that the bloc's leaders would quickly approve new military funding for Kiev. Her proposal to extend arms deliveries into 2025 has faced resistance from some member states.
Italy, Portugal, and Spain have openly opposed the plan, while France and Germany remain undecided, according to Politico. The proposed package, worth €10 billion, is set for discussion at the March 6 EU summit and includes weapons, ammunition, air defense systems, and expanded military training for Ukrainian forces.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has previously criticized the EU's approach, arguing that Brussels has effectively 'banned' the word 'peace' from discussions about Ukraine.
Moscow has repeatedly warned against Western arms shipments to Ukraine, arguing that they only prolong the conflict without altering the outcome, while increasing the risk of a direct Russia-NATO clash. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksandr Grushko has suggested that the EU could contribute to resolving the crisis by halting military and logistical support.
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