Kalinak: 14th Assistance Package for Ukraine Humanitarian Issue

Bratislava, 7 October (TASR) - The supplies that make up the 14th package of military aid to Ukraine are a "humanitarian issue", without Slovakia supplying weapons to the country, Defence Minister Robert Kalinak (Smer-SD) told a press conference on Tuesday following his visit to Kiev on Monday (6 October), adding that Ukraine has offered its drone detection technology for the planned drone wall project. "We remain true to what we've always said. We made it clear that we'd no longer donate weapons or similar items to Ukraine, but only non-lethal and, therefore, humanitarian assistance to individual countries, and we're sticking to that," said Kalinak. He also criticised the opposition and the media, accusing them of making statements indicating that the government has changed course with regard to the war in Ukraine. "We've been saying the same thing all along. We said it before the election, after the election, and we're saying it now. We always focus on those who suffer the most, those who need help, and in all conflicts like this, we're in favour of a peaceful solution," he stressed. Kalinak noted that part of the 14th assistance package designed to help ordinary people in Ukraine has already been prepared, while preparations for a 15th package are also under consideration. In this connection, Kalinak mentioned energy infrastructure and the possibility of supplying additional Bozena de-mining systems to Ukraine. According to Kalinak, Ukraine has offered its detection technologies for the drone wall project on the eastern flank of the European Union, with the cost of this said to be lower than those of other solutions. "A very good detection system can be built for relatively little money. In return, we want to include Slovak-made products in the system," said the minister, mentioning Slovak medium-calibre cannons as a possibility. However, no decision has been made yet in response to Ukraine's offer. In his address at the International Defence Industries Forum in Kiev on Monday, Kalinak announced that Slovakia is preparing a new military assistance package for Ukraine, which will include engineering and de-mining support. According to the Ukrainian Defence Ministry, Slovakia will provide its eastern neighbour with five Bozena de-mining systems, along with other military and non-military equipment. jrg/df