President Zuzana Čaputová. (source: TASR - Pavol Zachar)
Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová did not stop a new military aid package to Ukraine. According to her spokesperson Martin Strižinec, she supports the aid, but at the moment she is not giving her approval nor disapproval regarding its provision.
"However, the president is of the same opinion as acting PM Ľudovít Ódor, that in this regard it's necessary to respect the results of the September election and wait for the ongoing negotiations on the formation of the new government to conclude," said Strižinec.
The president actually does not have the power to stop it, that rests entirely upon the government.
Smer, winner of the election, is against any military aid. Smer leader Robert Fico has said that his government, if formed, will only support humanitarian aid.
More than ammunition
The president's spokesperson added that the decision to provide military equipment would be a precedent when the government is changing.
"The president continues, as before, to support the provision of military aid to Ukraine within the capabilities of the armed forces," he said.
Speaking on the Na Telo political programme aired by the private television channel Markíza on October 8, Čaputová further clarified her position.
"If it was only ammunition, that would be an entirely different question, entirely different subject matter," she said.
However, the package is said to include some heavier equipment.
Weapons prolong the war, most Slovaks say
According to an August survey by the Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences at the Slovak Academy of Sciences, the sense of solidarity fatigue towards Ukrainian refugees is increasing among Slovaks.
The results show that almost half of Slovaks believe that Ukrainians have received too much help and that aid should be time-limited.
The survey also showed that Slovaks are concerned that deliveries of arms to Ukraine only prolong the war, with almost 40 percent absolutely agreeing with the statement, 7 percent agreeing and almost 9 percent partially agreeing.
