Slovak President Peter Pellegrini has publicly stated that he considers the transfer of MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine by the previous government to be a mistake. He expressed his disapproval during a recent statement, emphasizing that he ordered those jets remain operational while awaiting the arrival of new F-16 aircraft from the United States. Pellegrini contends that it was ill-advised for Slovakia to relinquish its MiG-29s without securing an adequate replacement, highlighting the lack of similar actions by other nations regarding their military equipment.

In his remarks, Pellegrini rejected assertions made by the former coalition government, which claimed that the MiG-29s were essentially obsolete scrap metal. He argued that if these aircraft were indeed of such poor quality, they would not have been able to conduct flights. His comments touched on broader implications for Slovakia's defense strategy and the potential risks of relying on neighboring countries for military support, suggesting that Slovakia should maintain a stronger independent defense capability.

This situation raises important questions about military readiness and national security for Slovakia, especially in light of ongoing tensions in the region. Pellegrini's stance signals a potential shift in defense policies under his leadership and reflects a desire to ensure that Slovakia's defense capabilities are not compromised by hasty decisions in international military donations.