New Delhi: The Republic of Slovenia will send 28 M-55S tanks to Ukraine, according to a statement published on the government’s website on Monday.
In a telephone conversation, Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, “in the spirit of solidarity with the Ukrainian people,” agreed that Kyiv would receive 28 Slovenian M-55S tanks. In return, Ljubljana will obtain from Berlin 40 military transport vehicles, including 35 heavy 8×8 hook loaders and five heavy water tankers, the statement reads. According to it, “the ring exchange will also strengthen defense cooperation between Slovenia and Germany.”
Slovenia’s newspaper reported that the republic would supply to Ukraine tanks, stored by the country’s army.
On June 21, reported, citing Slovenian Defense Minister Marjan Sarec, that the republic had sent 35 infantry fighting machines to Ukraine. According to Sarec, those were Yugoslavian-made machines equipped with 20 mm caliber weapons.
With strong US support, Slovenia has developed the International Trust Fund as the demining instrument of choice in the Balkans and has expanded operations to include other areas. The United States works with the Slovenian military to promote greater cooperation and interoperability with NATO forces.
Since 1 May 2004, Slovenia has been a full member of the EU. In addition to the financial and developmental advantages of EU membership, Slovenian citizens have the opportunity to find employment in other Member States, and travel within the EU after Slovenia’s entry into the Schengen area has been greatly simplified.
(Vinayak)