Because Fico says no:

Slovaks collect money for Ukraine ammunition

Ammunition for the Ukrainian artillery in a German factory

(Bild: APA/AFP/Axel Heimken)

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Robert Fico, Slovakia does not want to send "one more shot of ammunition" to Ukraine. At least that was the message during the left-wing nationalist politician's election campaign last year. His government remains true to this position and does not want to join a Czech initiative to purchase around 500,000 artillery shells. Numerous people in Slovakia are now opposing this and have founded a private donation initiative.

A group called "Mier Ukrajine" (Peace for Ukraine) has launched a crowdfunding campaign that has already raised over one million euros in just a few days. Thousands of people who have already signed up not only want to help Ukraine, but also send a signal against their unpopular head of government. "We cannot accept that our government refuses to help our neighbor. Let's prove that Slovakia is not a coward and is on the right side of history by organizing a fundraiser for ammunition. Let's help Ukraine despite our pro-Russian government," reads the fundraising campaign website.

Prominent support
Many Slovakian celebrities are also supporting the campaign - including a 99-year-old former partisan fighter and prisoner under German occupation. "There was no negotiating with the aggressors, they had to be defeated. This experience from the Second World War also applies to Ukraine," emphasizes the 99-year-old in a video about the initiative. Filmmakers and former Foreign Minister Ivan Korčok are also among the supporters.

You can watch the video of the ex-partisan fighter (in Slovakian) here:

Crowdfunding money to go to Czech initiative
The money collected is to be used as a Slovakian contribution to the Czech Ammunition Initiative, which is supported by 20 countries. It is rather unlikely that Fico or his ministers will donate (at least officially). Criticism of the initiative has been heard from their ranks for days. Labor Minister Erik Tomás, for example, told Slovakian media: "We all want peace as soon as possible. Delivering ammunition to Ukraine does not mean quick peace."

Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán are not sending any weapons or ammunition to Kiev.

(Bild: APA/AFP/JOHN THYS)

Environment Minister Tomáš Taraba told waiting journalists after a cabinet meeting: "Go to Ukraine, take a submachine gun, who do you want to convince morally?" Taraba replied brusquely to a television reporter who claimed to have been reporting from the war zone: "Were you in the trenches? You didn't have a weapon in your hand. What right do you have to moralize here?"