Slovak Premier says EU nation won’t support new Russia sanctions
(MENAFN) Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has declared that Slovakia will not back the European Union’s latest sanctions package against Russia, warning that the proposed measures could trigger an energy crisis in his country. In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Fico stated that Bratislava might reconsider only if the EU offers a viable solution to the energy supply challenges Slovakia would face.
The European Commission introduced its 18th sanctions package targeting Russia’s energy exports, infrastructure, and financial sector. Key elements include lowering the oil price cap from $60 to $45 per barrel, banning future use of the damaged Nord Stream pipeline, restricting imports of refined products derived from Russian crude, and sanctioning 77 ships allegedly involved in circumventing oil trade bans. The package requires unanimous approval from all 27 EU member states.
Since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, Slovakia has complied with all EU sanctions, but Fico has repeatedly criticized the measures as ineffective and harmful to EU countries more than to Russia. Recently, the Slovak parliament passed a resolution preventing government officials from supporting new sanctions, citing economic damage to Slovakia’s industries and citizens. Although the president can veto the resolution, Slovak law binds Fico to oppose the sanctions at the EU level.
Russia has rejected Western sanctions as illegitimate and counterproductive. Russian President Vladimir Putin insists that lifting sanctions is essential for resolving the Ukraine conflict. Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, accused the EU of using sanctions to politically prolong the war.
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