Key facts
- Slovakia and Hungary will not join a 70 billion euro EU support package for Ukraine.
- Ukraine requested the funds for defense and resilience in 2027.
- The European bloc previously approved a 90 billion euro loan for Ukraine.
- Slovakia and Hungary did not participate in the earlier 90 billion euro package.
- French President Emmanuel Macron stated the request would be analyzed by allies.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced on October 16 that his country will not participate in a 70-billion-euro ($79 billion) support package requested by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Fico stated that Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar indicated a similar position. Zelensky had asked EU leaders for the additional funds to cover Ukraine's defense and resilience needs for 2027, citing a budget shortfall amid escalating Russian attacks. This request follows the European bloc's approval of a 90-billion-euro ($101 billion) loan earlier this year to aid Ukraine until the end of 2027. While this loan is being disbursed, Kyiv faces a gap, partly due to a lack of contributions from non-EU partners. Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis also signaled his country's non-participation in the new financing. Fico mentioned that Slovakia would continue to assist Kyiv through educational projects, logistics, and energy cooperation. Both Slovak and Czech leaders have reduced direct military aid since taking office, while Hungary has not supplied weapons.