Slovakia's new Prime Minister Robert Fico has officially announced his pledge to end military aid intended to help neighboring Ukraine fight invading Russian forces.

Fico told a parliamentary committee on Thursday that he would support ''zero military aid to Ukraine."

Fico also indicated he would oppose further sanctions against Russia. He said he could see no reason to support them if they would harm Slovakia as most such previous measures had.

Fico became prime minister on Wednesday after his opposition party won last month's general election. He had said during campaigning that he would halt military aid to Ukraine as negotiations with Russia should take place to bring an end to the fighting.

Slovakia had previously provided Ukraine with military assistance, including fighter jets.

Some analysts say they expect Fico to take a similar line to the pro-Russian stance of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. That has raised concern that EU unity over Russia's invasion could waver as both Slovakia and Hungary are members of the bloc.