Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico to NATO Headquarters on Thursday (14 December 2023). Mr Stoltenberg praised Slovakia's commitment to the Alliance, including hosting a multinational NATO battlegroup, deploying forces to Latvia, and planning to invest 2% of GDP in defence. They also discussed continued support to Ukraine and further bolstering the Alliance's deterrence and defence.
The Secretary General welcomed Slovakia's support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, emphasising that "there are no signs that Putin is preparing for peace. Instead the Kremlin is preparing for a long and grinding war". Mr Stoltenberg thanked Prime Minister Fico for confirming that Slovakia would continue to provide humanitarian aid and contribute to NATO's comprehensive assistance package for Ukraine. He also welcomed continued defence industry cooperation between Slovakia and Ukraine and that the crucial repair hub in Slovakia will remain operational. "Stopping military assistance to Kyiv would prolong the war, not end it," said the Secretary General. Mr Stoltenberg aIso welcomed President Biden's clear commitment to providing Ukraine with crucial aid, stressing that "if Putin wins in Ukraine, there is a real risk that his aggression will not end there."
On NATO's deterrence and defence, the Secretary General announced that a long-planned US missile defence base in Poland will become operational on Friday (15 December 2023). "This is an important step for transatlantic security" and it will "boost Allies' ability to defend against the threat of ballistic missiles, particularly from the Middle East," said Mr Stoltenberg.
