In a recent development that has garnered international attention, President Zuzana Čaputová of the Slovak Republic has taken a decisive stand against the provision of a new package of military assistance to Ukraine. This move comes in the wake of the parliamentary elections in Slovakia, which saw the victory of the anti-Ukrainian party, Smer-SD, led by Prime Minister Robert Fico. The implications of this decision and its impact on Ukraine’s quest for military support are significant.

The Political Landscape

The crux of the matter lies in the aftermath of Slovakia’s parliamentary elections, where Robert Fico’s Smer-SD emerged as the victor. With preliminary results indicating their electoral triumph, Fico was granted a two-week window to form a new government. It is within this context that Fico has openly declared his intention to halt both military and political support for Ukraine.

President Čaputová’s Opposition

President Zuzana Čaputová, who holds political responsibility for the Cabinet, has taken a firm stand against the provision of military assistance to Ukraine. Her stance is rooted in a commitment to “respect the results of democratic elections.” In a comment provided to Dennik N, her spokesman, Martin Strižinec, explained that Smer-SD, as the winning party, had promised voters “not to give a single bullet” to Ukraine. President Čaputová, therefore, views disregarding this position as a potential precursor to an undesirable precedent for the future.

The Implications

The implications of this development are far-reaching. Slovakia has been a notable contributor to Ukraine’s efforts in countering external threats. Any cessation of military assistance from Slovakia, especially given its strategic location in Eastern Europe, could pose significant challenges to Ukraine’s security.

Furthermore, Prime Minister Fico’s assertion that discussions about Ukraine’s accession to the European Union are “illusory” at the moment is a stark departure from previous regional dynamics. Ukraine’s aspiration for EU membership has been a driving force in its foreign policy. Fico’s skepticism raises questions about the future of Ukraine’s European integration.

Moreover, his assertion that Nazism is “tolerated” in Ukraine adds another layer of complexity to the situation. Such rhetoric, if not addressed diplomatically, could further strain relations between the two nations.

The Broader Context

This development underscores the evolving geopolitical landscape in Eastern Europe. The region has witnessed significant shifts in alliances and priorities in recent years, and Slovakia’s stance on Ukraine’s military assistance must be seen within this broader context.

In conclusion, President Čaputová’s opposition to providing military assistance to Ukraine, following the electoral victory of the anti-Ukrainian party Smer-SD in Slovakia, has raised concerns about the future of bilateral relations and Ukraine’s security. The repercussions of this decision are not limited to the immediate cessation of military support but extend to Ukraine’s European aspirations and regional dynamics. It remains to be seen how these developments will shape the future of Ukraine’s foreign policy and its pursuit of European integration.

On Wednesday, Palestinian militants paraded through Gaza City, showcasing their weaponry, including rockets and drones, as they marked the 36th anniversary of the founding of the Islamic Jihad movement.

In recent years, the Islamic Jihad forces in the besieged Gaza Strip have engaged in several violent clashes with Israel, including the most recent one in May, during which a five-day cross-border conflict resulted in the deaths of 34 Palestinians, including six commanders of the militant group, as well as one Israeli.

According to an Islamic Jihad official, approximately 4,500 members of the Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Palestinian extremist group, participated in Wednesday’s procession.

The event featured domestically manufactured rockets mounted on trucks concealed in green camouflage, as well as missiles and three varieties of drones.

Also Read: US and EU Seek Legal Basis to Transfer $300 Billion Russian Assets to Ukraine – Blinken

A spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades stated, “The new Buraq missiles have a range of 85 kilometers (50 miles), and the improved Badr 3 missiles have an explosive warhead weighing 400 kilos (880 pounds).” The spokesperson also mentioned that one of the displayed missiles was locally produced and had not yet been used against Israel, without providing further details.

Regarding the drones, the spokesperson noted that they could be utilized to target objectives deep inside Israel.

Gaza has been subjected to a severe blockade imposed by Israel since the Islamist group Hamas took control of the narrow coastal enclave in 2007. Israel contends that these stringent restrictions on goods and movement are necessary due to Hamas’s significant efforts to arm itself for attacks against the Jewish state.

The United States has dispatched approximately 1.1 million bullets confiscated from Iran last year to Ukraine, according to a statement from the US military.

The US Central Command (Centcom), responsible for overseeing Middle East operations, reported that these rounds were seized from a vessel en route to Yemen in December. Concerns had recently arisen among Ukraine’s Western allies regarding the nation’s ability to meet its ammunition demands.

Centcom disclosed that the Iranian munitions, which are of 7.62mm caliber and used in Soviet-era rifles and light machine guns, were delivered to Ukraine on Monday. We naval forces originally confiscated these munitions from an unregistered ship named MARWAN 1 on December 9. The US government took ownership of the ammunition in July through a legal process known as civil forfeiture, which allows assets to be seized if their owners are believed to be involved in criminal activities. In this case, the claim was made against Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a branch of the Iranian armed forces responsible for protecting the country’s government.

Centcom emphasized its commitment to collaborating with allies and partners to lawfully counter the flow of Iranian lethal aid in the region. Iran has been known to support Houthi rebels in Yemen’s ongoing civil conflict, despite UN Security Council resolutions prohibiting arms transfers to the group since 2015.

The civil war in Yemen began in 2014 when the Houthis seized control of the capital, Sanaa, and ousted the country’s government. The ousted government retains international recognition and is supported by a coalition of countries in the region led by Saudi Arabia, as well as the US and the UK.

In recent months, Iran has faced accusations of supplying Russia with arms, particularly drones, for use in the Ukrainian war.

Also Read: US and EU Seek Legal Basis to Transfer $300 Billion Russian Assets to Ukraine – Blinken

During a discussion at the Warsaw Security Forum on Monday, Adm Rob Bauer, Chair of NATO’s Military Committee, raised concerns about the dwindling ammunition supplies among NATO countries. He attributed this issue to decades of underinvestment and emphasized the need for governments and arms manufacturers to increase production significantly.

The United States has already provided more than 200 million bullets and grenades to the Ukrainian military. UK Defense Minister James Heappey called on NATO allies to allocate 2% of their national income to defense, a target agreed upon by the alliance but expected to be met by only 11 of its 31 members this year.

The transfer of Iranian ammunition comes at a time when the Biden administration is seeking alternative ways to assist Ukraine due to opposition from some members of Congress. Officials have warned that the funds allocated to Ukraine are nearly depleted, but pressure from certain factions within the Republican party has hindered the House of Representatives from approving additional funds. Furthermore, a vote to remove House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has been won by some of the same members, delaying any further aid vote until a new speaker is appointed, which is not expected to occur until at least the middle of the following week. It is likely that any future speaker attempting to bring this issue to the floor will face similar opposition.

The United States and its European allies are currently exploring the legal framework for utilizing approximately $300 billion in frozen Russian assets to aid in restoring Ukraine.

We, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, highlighted this initiative during a conversation at the University of Texas at Austin on Wednesday, October 4th. Secretary Blinken expressed his perspective: “In my view, those who break it must bear the responsibility to fix it. Given that Russia played a role in destabilizing Ukraine, it is incumbent upon them to bear the financial burden. One potential avenue for this is the utilization of these frozen assets. However, it is essential to ensure a sound legal foundation exists for such action, and it’s crucial that our European counterparts also concur with this rationale since most of these assets are located in Europe.”

Also Read: US Donates 1.1 Million Rounds of Seized Iranian Ammunition to Kyiv Amid Ukraine War

Secretary Blinken noted that the frozen assets amount to approximately $300 billion and underscored the significance of holding Russia accountable for its actions in Ukraine. He articulated concerns that if Russia goes unpunished for its actions in Ukraine, it could send a dangerous message to other nations contemplating acts of aggression, potentially leading to a surge in global conflicts. He likened it to opening a Pandora’s box of conflict, highlighting the detrimental consequences such a world would have for everyone.

Furthermore, Secretary Blinken emphasized that in such a conflict-ridden environment, the United States would inevitably become entangled in various conflicts, incurring much higher costs than supporting Ukraine in the first place. He also highlighted the strong international support for Ukraine, with 50 countries actively backing its cause.

The US military announced that it has sent approximately 1.1 million bullets, which were seized from Iran last year, to Ukraine. The US Central Command (Centcom), responsible for Middle East operations, disclosed that these rounds were taken from a vessel bound for Yemen in December. Ukraine’s Western allies had recently expressed concerns about their inability to meet Ukraine’s ammunition needs due to its rapid consumption.

Centcom confirmed that the Iranian ammunition was transferred to Ukraine on Monday after initially being confiscated by US naval forces from a stateless ship called M.A.R.W.A.N. 1 on December 9th. In July, the US government assumed ownership of these rounds through a process known as civil forfeiture, which allows assets to be seized if their owners are suspected of involvement in criminal activities. In this case, the claim was directed against Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a branch of the Iranian armed forces responsible for safeguarding the country’s government.

Centcom stated its commitment to collaborating with allies and partners to legally counter the flow of Iranian lethal aid in the region. Iran has been supporting the Houthi rebels in Yemen’s ongoing civil war, but such arms transfers to the group are prohibited under a 2015 resolution by the UN Security Council. The conflict in Yemen began in 2014 when the Houthis seized control of the capital, Sanaa, and ousted the country’s government. The ousted government maintains international recognition and is backed by a coalition of countries in the region led by Saudi Arabia, as well as by the US and the UK.

Also Read: Pakistan Announces Mass Deportation of ‘Illegal Immigrants,’ Including Afghans

Since the latter half of the previous year, Iran has faced repeated accusations of supplying Russia with weaponry, particularly drones, for use in the Ukrainian conflict. At the Warsaw Security Forum on Monday, Adm Rob Bauer, Chair of NATO’s Military Committee, expressed concerns about the dwindling ammunition stocks among NATO countries. He attributed this shortage to decades of underinvestment and stressed the need for governments and arms manufacturers to significantly increase production rates to meet the demands of ongoing conflicts.

UK Defence Minister James Heappey has called upon NATO allies to allocate 2% of their national income for defense spending, a target that was collectively agreed upon by the alliance. However, only 11 out of the 31 NATO members are expected to meet this target by the end of the year.

This call for increased defense spending coincides with the transfer of Iranian ammunition to Ukraine and the Biden administration’s efforts to find alternative ways to support Ukraine, mainly due to resistance from some members of Congress.

Officials have been issuing warnings for several weeks that the allocated funds for Ukraine are nearly depleted. However, opposition from certain members of the Republican party has hindered the House of Representatives from approving additional funding.

On Tuesday, some of these same members successfully voted to remove House Speaker Kevin McCarthy from his position. This development will delay any potential vote on additional aid until a replacement is selected, a process that is not expected to conclude until at least the middle of the following week.

Furthermore, even once a new Speaker is in place, it is anticipated that they will encounter similar opposition if they attempt to bring a vote on this issue to the floor.