The Czech force will be deployed in Slovakia until June 30, 2023, despite Russia’s constant claims that the increase in NATO troops near its borders threatens national security.
On February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the launch of a “special military operation” in Ukraine aimed at demilitarizing and denazifying that area.
After that date, the European Union and its Western allies passed a series of sanctions specifically aimed at “destabilizing the Russian economy.”
For his part, Jens Stoltenberg, secretary general of the military bloc, announced the stationing of combat battalions in Slovakia, Hungary and Romania, neighboring countries of Ukraine, as well as in Bulgaria in Eastern Europe.
According to experts, these actions could only increase tensions between the alliance and Russia.
On the other hand, the Slovak parliament approved a battle group of 2,100 soldiers from Germany, Slovakia, Poland, Slovenia, the United States, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic led by the latter country.
Czech Defense Minister Jana Cernochova noted that “at a symbolic level, sending troops to Slovakia is of great importance”.
“This is a step towards strengthening our longterm military cooperation,” Cernochova said.
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