The Slovak Republic is one of our friendly neighbouring countries that sincerely helps Ukraine and respects our sovereignty. Since the beginning of the full-scale war, the Slovak government has been assisting with weapons, ammunition, finance, sanctions and EU membership and condemning the actions of the aggressor country.

Slovakia and the Czech Republic signed a declaration with Ukraine in which they confirmed their readiness to support Ukraine on its path to NATO and the European Union membership and to contribute to Ukraine’s safety until it joins the Alliance. The document, particularly, renews the requirement for russia to immediately and unconditionally withdraw all its armed forces from the territory of Ukraine. It also expresses the readiness of the states to cooperate closely to further strengthen Ukraine’s defence capabilities, strengthen EU sanctions against russia and create a legal framework for using frozen russian assets to rebuild Ukraine..

The Slovak transmission system operator SEPS has provided Ukrenergo with 8 trucks of equipment to restore the main power substations damaged during missile attacks and shelling of civilian targets in Ukraine by the aggressor. This cargo is part of the comprehensive support that our Slovak colleagues have been providing us since the first days of the full-scale invasion. The equipment worth €1 million will help to restore the operation of several high-voltage substations in different regions of Ukraine.

Last year, Slovakia provided €153 million assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This amount represents a significant part of the Slovak defence budget for 2022. As you know, the aid included M-17 helicopters, ammunition for Grad multiple rocket launchers, S-300 air defence systems, Zuzana 2 howitzers, ammunition, fuel, etc. It should be noted that Slovakia was the first country that supplied S-300 air defence systems to Ukraine.

In November 2022, the Government of Slovakia handed over 30 BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine. The country has already handed over all 13 MiG-29 fighter jets that the Government of Slovakia decided to provide to Ukraine in order to counter the Russian invasion. The Slovak Government will also send ammunition, including large-calibre ammunition and various equipment to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

A military equipment repair base for the Armed Forces of Ukraine has been launched in the city of Košice in eastern Slovakia. With the help of the new repair centre near the border, the military-industrial complex of both countries ensures the continued use of heavy weapons to destroy the enemy and liberate the temporarily occupied territories. Slovakia is also considering the possibility of restarting the production of ammunition for Ukrainian needs. Namely, the production of 152 mm and 122 mm Soviet-calibre shells for artillery weapons of Ukraine.

In 2023, Slovakia provided Ukraine with a military and humanitarian aid package in the amount of more than €10 million. The new aid package includes petrol generators, power plants and transformers. Ukraine also received heating materials and food. The package also includes military aid, such as mine clearance kits, ballistic vests and more. The Slovak government has also sent 2,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Ukraine for more than €4 million.

The development of mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation also remains an important priority for both countries. The analysis of export and import operations of Dnipropetrovsk region with Slovakia demonstrates a high level of partnership, as the country is an important commercial partner of the region.

According to the results of 2022, the volume of exports of goods from Dnipropetrovsk region increased by 21% to $509.6 million despite the aggressive war of russia against Ukraine. The goods in demand among Slovak consumers include ores, slag, mineral fuels, parts for railway locomotives, cereals, ferrous metals, etc.

Export operations were carried out by 81 enterprises from Dnipropetrovsk region. The main exporter companies are enterprises of mining and metallurgical complex, processing industry and machine-building enterprises.

TOP-5 exporters (ranked by volume of exported products):

Imports of goods from Slovakia to Dnipropetrovsk region totalled $61.3 million and increased by 37.6% compared to 2021. Traditionally, the region purchased ferrous metals, plastics and polymers, various inorganic chemicals, paper and cardboard, and other goods.

Import operations were carried out by 122 importer companies.

TOP-5 importers (ranked by volume of imported products):

Import operations were mainly carried out by trade, metallurgical, processing and machine-building enterprises.

Source: information for the article was taken from open online sources