Slovak Defence Industry: Patria has delivered the final batch of AMV XP 8×8 armoured ambulances to the Slovak Armed Forces, completing a 2022 government-to-government contract with Finland and supporting local industrial capacity through technology transfer. EU Security Cooperation: Ukraine’s FM Juraj Blanár and Andrii Sybiha discussed deeper defence-industry collaboration, with Ukraine open to joint projects under the EU SAFE instrument and thanking Slovakia for sanctions support plus demining and shelter efforts. Fiscal Watch: The European Commission’s latest assessment ranks Slovakia top among EU states for compliance with fiscal rules, with the Finance Ministry pointing to controlled spending and noting the evaluation focuses on government-controlled costs. Retail Demand Signals: Eurostat data shows euro area retail volumes fell in April, with Slovakia among the steeper monthly decliners, while food sales held up and fuel and non-food categories weighed on demand. Manufacturing Jobs: Flanders offered up to €119m to help secure Volvo’s Ghent plant future, tied to investment in energy efficiency, innovation and training—amid expectations of model decisions affecting Slovakia’s Košice production. Logistics & Trade: A Slovak fulfilment provider says Western e-commerce firms often misjudge CEE customer expectations, from cash-on-delivery to BLIK and local delivery preferences. Energy & Industry: Slovakia’s gas de-Russification push is linked to interest in longer-term supplies from Azerbaijan, as regional pipeline plans reshape Central Europe’s energy routes.