Month: August 2025

Slovakia Upholds Commitment to Non-Lethal Aid to Ukraine Despite Booming Arms Industry

Slovakia’s Deputy Defense Minister Igor Melicher emphasized that the nation’s arms industry will not affect its commitment to aid Ukraine, stating, “The Slovak government pledged to its citizens in its manifesto that we will not send a single bullet from our state warehouses to Ukraine, and we are keeping this promise,” reports 24brussels.

Slovakia has maintained its official assistance to Ukraine through non-lethal aid and essential electricity supplies that support the country’s functioning. Despite this, the government does not shy away from the reality that private firms are free to engage in arms sales. Melicher explained, “We joined the European Union because of the values we share. We also respect the free market. Therefore, restricting defense industry companies would be quite hypocritical on our part.”

Slovak companies are actively producing a range of military equipment, including 155 mm ammunition, Zuzana 2 self-propelled howitzers, and advanced detection systems and electronic warfare technology. This shift reflects a robust adaptation of the country’s defense sector, aimed at responding to evolving market demands.

During the inauguration of a new artillery ammunition plant last year, Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák asserted, “This is not support for war, but support for trade.” This statement underscores the government’s efforts to navigate the complexities of supporting Ukraine while fostering domestic industry.

As Slovakia strengthens its defense capabilities amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions, the balance between humanitarian commitments and market opportunities remains a critical challenge. The ongoing war in Ukraine continues to shape policies across Europe, necessitating a careful approach to military aid and international cooperation.

Figure is about a third of budget from central government while thousands of families face prospect of homelessness

More than £300m given to English councils to help Ukrainian refugees into accommodation has not been spent, while thousands of them face homelessness.

Freedom of information requests to 150 councils in England, shared with the Guardian, identified that £327m – about a third of the £1bn budget – was still sitting in council bank accounts more than three years after Russia invaded Ukraine.

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Trump’s Peace Proposals Meet Zelenskyy’s Firm Stance on Territorial Integrity

During recent discussions, former U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that a potential peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine could involve ceding parts of the easternmost Donbas region to Russia. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy swiftly countered this notion, emphasizing that Ukraine’s integrity must be preserved in any peace deal, reports 24brussels.

Zelenskyy articulated a shared urgency to conclude the conflict, stating, “we all share a strong desire to end this war quickly and reliably.” He stressed the importance of lasting peace, recalling how previous concessions led to further aggression by Russia. “Peace must be lasting,” he wrote. “Not like it was years ago, when Ukraine was forced to give up Crimea and part of our East—part of Donbas—and Putin simply used it as a springboard for a new attack.”

Trump’s controversial proposal reportedly indicates that he believes Putin would agree to negotiations if Ukraine were to relinquish control of its Donbas region, which includes territories currently under Ukrainian sovereignty. Zelenskyy has firmly warned that such concessions would undermine Ukraine’s defensive posture, making it more susceptible to future Russian offensives.

Despite these tensions, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude towards Trump, noting that “our people will always be grateful to President Trump,” a nod to previous criticisms regarding the former administration’s support for Ukraine.

The recent discussions took place amid a backdrop of failed negotiations following a summit between Trump and Putin in Alaska. Trump’s invitation to Zelenskyy for discussions did not yield any substantive agreements or a ceasefire, according to sources close to the matter.

In a follow-up call with European leaders, Trump conveyed his view that the resolution to the conflict lies in pursuing a Peace Agreement, as opposed to a temporary ceasefire, which he claimed often fails to produce lasting results. His statements reflect a strategic shift in U.S. foreign policy expectations regarding the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.