After Russia’s intervention in Ukraine, countries in Eastern Europe continue to take defensive measures. Slovakia allowed a contingent of 2,100 NATO soldiers to enter the country against the Russian threat. While the Czech Republic is preparing to send 650 soldiers to the country, the decision has not yet been approved in the parliament.
CZECH SOLDIERS WILL COMMAND
Slovakia’s government approved the entry of 2,100 NATO troops into the country in order to protect itself from the increasing Russian threat in recent days. The unit, which will be commanded by Czech soldiers, will consist of 700 German, 600 Czech, 400 US, 200 Dutch, 100 Polish and 100 Slovenian soldiers. The Union will use NATO-provided equipment, including the Patriot air defense system and Sentinel radar technology, to ensure Slovakia’s protection.
THEY ARE SENDING 650 SOLDIERS
600 of the 650 soldiers to be sent by the Czech Republic will protect Slovakia, while the other 50 soldiers, together with the 100 soldiers sent earlier, will build a humanitarian base for Ukrainian refugees near the Slovak city of Liptovsky Mikulas and will be responsible for the operation of this base.
“NO TIME TO DELAY THIS DECISION”
While the Czech government’s decision to send troops to Slovakia has not yet been approved in the parliament, Czech Defense Minister Jana Cernochova said, “I believe the authorization will be approved as soon as possible. In light of Putin’s unprecedented invasion of Ukraine, there is no time to delay this decision. “We want to help our Slovak partners establish a defense unit that we will command as soon as possible,” he said.
The Czech Republic sent 100 soldiers and military equipment to Slovakia last Monday to help the Slovak army build a tent city for refugees from Ukraine. In the statement made on the social media account of the Czech Armed Forces, “Our logistics support teams in the cities of Pardubice and Lipnik nad Becvou are on their way to Slovakia. They will establish a humanitarian base there for four hundred refugees from Ukraine.”
Troops from the Czech Republic to Slovakia will remain in the post until 30 June 2023, during which the defense cost is estimated to be around 540 million kronor (approximately 21.5 million euro).
Source: UAV