President: Slovakia Might Help Ukraine with Demining Operations (2)

Bratislava, April 30 (TASR) - Demining could be another field, in which Slovakia might extend a potential aid to Ukraine, President Zuzana Caputova declared after her return from Ukraine on Sunday. "Slovakia boasts excellent technologies in the field, in which we belong among the world's best," Caputova said at a press briefing. However, the President intends to discuss specifics with interim Prime Minister Eduard Heger and interim Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad first. In terms of minefields, Ukraine belongs among the most heavily contaminated countries in the world. "The contamination of Ukraine poses an enormous problem. Simply put, a single day of the war calls for 30 days of mine clearance," said Caputova, adding that Ukraine is interested in such an aid and it poses also business opportunities for contractors. The President stated that Ukraine is seeing changes, with places outside zones of conflict undergoing reconstruction of streets, bridges and buildings. The head of state perceives the recovery of Ukraine as an appealing opportunity for Slovak businesses and entrepreneurs. "The Government is completing a scheme aimed to facilitate such an aid and collaboration," she added, although conceded that Slovakia's aid is "lagging behind the Czech Republic's". The President reported that Ukraine had once again asked Slovakia to send over an investigative team to document the evidence of war crimes. Caputova strongly rejected any attempts to downplay the situation in Ukraine and added that people in Slovakia who cast doubt over the developments in Ukraine should travel there and look the suffering civilians in the eyes. She also finds any efforts to score political points off the war tragedy absolutely reprehensible and pointed out to an ongoing massive disinformation campaign in Slovakia, aimed to twist the truth. Despite this, the President still counts on the "magnanimity, humanity and solidarity" that a significant part of Slovakia has already shown to Ukraine. mf