Kyiv has asked Western governments for more weapons and equipment in anticipation of an expected new Russian attack in eastern Ukraine. Speaking to POLITICO after a trip to Ukraine late last week, Heger said his government had been asked to provide Soviet-designed MiG-29 fighter jets and Slovak-made Zuzana self-propelled grenade launchers to Ukraine, while talks continued. Heger said his government wanted to get rid of its dependence on MiGs in any case, as one “could not maintain” Soviet equipment without a “relationship” with Russia. “This is equipment that we want to finish anyway, because we are waiting for the F-16s,” he said, referring to US jets that Slovakia plans to receive in 2024. He said Slovakia was “in a very intense discussion with our partners” about who would protect the country’s airspace. “After that,” he added, “we can consider talking about this equipment in relation to Ukraine as well.” Asked if this meant that Slovakia could transport some planes to Ukraine if it received some guarantees from Western partners, he replied: “That is what we are talking about. Yes.” Heger did not give a number for how many MiGs Slovakia could give, the country reportedly has about a dozen. Bratislava has already carried out an exchange in recent days, sending an S-300 air defense system to Ukraine. In return, Slovakia now receives a US Patriot missile system. “It simply came to our notice then [the] “The Ukrainians need as much help as possible,” Heger said of the S-300 decision. “This is the equipment they have,” he said, adding that “they can handle it.” “This was the right match, but we needed a replacement. “And that’s where we got into the discussion with the Americans.” Without a quick end to the war, some Western officials have suggested that Ukraine should move away from the use of Soviet weapons. But such a move would raise the question of how – and where – Ukrainian troops would be trained to use Western-made weapons and systems. Asked if his government would be open to allowing Ukrainian troops to train on Slovak soil, Heger said “we are having this discussion”. Slovakia has emerged in recent weeks as a staunch ally of the government in neighboring Ukraine, pushing for a quick bid by Kiev to join the EU and offering assistance to the country as it seeks membership. Heger said the European Union “can not stop” and must “help Ukraine until it wins”. And while Slovakia relies heavily on Russian oil and gas, Heger said he was working to reduce its dependence. “We are trying to do what we can and prepare for a disconnection from Russian oil and gas as soon as possible,” Heger said. “But we need solidarity,” he said. “We are at the end of the chain,” he said, adding that Slovakia would demand “guarantees” from some countries that “they will get what we need – our people can not be left without gas or oil.” “I think oil is a little easier, gas is a little harder,” Heger said. The sanctions, he added, “should hurt Putin more than they hurt us.” “If they are going to hurt us much more than Vladimir Putin,” Heger warned, “then we actually helped Vladimir Putin – not Ukraine, not us – so that’s very important.”
