Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has asked NATO to strengthen Slovakia's air defense and reaffirmed that the country will independently decide on defense spending.

The Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico requested NATO to strengthen Slovakia's air defense during a meeting with the alliance's Secretary General, Mark Rutte, in Bratislava.

Fico emphasized that Slovakia will independently decide the pace and structure of defense spending, in the context where most NATO members are increasing their investments in this area. He also reaffirmed Slovakia's opposition to the European Union's policy of supporting Ukraine in the conflict with Russia, stating that the government will not provide lethal weapons directly to Kyiv, but will only allow commercial contracts.