Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico Photo: Jaroslav Novák / TASR
Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Monday that Bratislava should retain the sovereign right to decide how fast it will increase its defence budget to meet NATO’s target, and any planned spending increase in 2026 should be directed mainly to “dual-use” projects, such as roads and hospitals, Reuters reports.
Fico was reacting to Sunday’s decision by NATO member states to raise the defence spending cap to 5% of GDP, an initiative that has been strongly promoted by US President Donald Trump.
“Slovakia, like Spain, should reserve the right to sovereignly determine the growth rate and structure of the Ministry of Defence’s budget in order to achieve the NATO goal no earlier than 2035,” the Prime Minister stressed.
Despite pressure from NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who insisted that all members, including Slovakia, meet the new standard, Slovakia insists on its own timetable. President Peter Pellegrini has already assured that he will not break the Alliance’s consensus at the Hague summit.
Context and internal contradictions
Robert Fico, known for his pro-Russian sentiments and two visits to Moscow in 2024, has repeatedly criticised the supply of military aid to Ukraine and hinted at the possibility of Slovakia’s withdrawal from NATO. Last year, for the first time, he publicly raised the concept of “neutrality” as an alternative to NATO membership
“Slovakia is a NATO member and must decide for itself whether it will fulfil its commitments or choose a different path in the future,” the Prime Minister stated.
At the same time, Fico argues that even without a rapid increase in spending to 5% of GDP, Slovakia is able to meet the Alliance’s defence requirements, citing the efficiency of existing resources and the priority of socio-economic recovery.
