Bratislava: In the wake of Russia’s large-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky launched the International Legion for the Territorial Defense of Ukraine. This initiative was designed to rally foreign volunteers to bolster Ukraine’s defensive efforts, leading to an influx of nearly 20,000 fighters from around the world. These foreign recruits have since become a significant part of Ukraine’s resistance, contributing expertise, support, and a powerful symbol of international solidarity in the face of aggression.
However, Slovakia has taken a definitive stance against such support. President Peter Pellegrini has outrightly rejected all applications from Slovak citizens seeking to join the Ukrainian military, warning that citizens will face criminal prosecution if they attempt to serve in foreign armed forces without presidential approval.
This decision aligns closely with Prime Minister Robert Fico’s position to discontinue arms supplies to Ukraine, a policy Fico advocated during his campaign and has since upheld. Upon his election in April, Pellegrini labeled the ongoing conflict “a tragedy that has yielded no results in two years,” echoing a sentiment that suggests skepticism about the war’s progress and prospects.
Also Read | Musk Confirms Tesla’s Shift Away from $25K EV for Human Drivers, Focuses on Autonomous Cybercab
Additionally, Pellegrini voiced strong reservations on Ukraine’s NATO aspirations, describing the possibility of Ukrainian membership as “unrealistic” and emphasizing that it was not currently under consideration.
Also Read | Putin Blames NATO for Strained Relations in Address to New Western Ambassadors
