Slovakia to consider lawsuit against EU plan to end Russian gas imports, Fico says

Bratislava, 19 November (ČTK correspondent) - Slovakia will consider the possibility of filing a lawsuit against the European Union's plan to end imports of natural gas from Russia into the EU. Prime Minister Robert Fico told reporters today. Fico's cabinet is expected to discuss the relevant analysis next week.

Energy ministers from EU member states supported a proposal to gradually end imports of gas from Russia into the bloc in October this year; a complete ban is due to take effect on 1 January 2028. Slovakia, like Hungary, did not support the proposal.

Fico again claimed that stopping imports of Russian gas would harm Slovakia.

Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Saková said last week that Russian gas accounts for only a third of the total supplies to SPP, Slovakia's largest gas seller, this year. This is due to limited transport capacity through Hungary.

In the past, gas from Russia accounted for the largest share of total gas imports into Slovakia. This year's supplies have been affected by Ukraine's decision not to extend the transit of Russian gas through its territory. Russia's Gazprom subsequently began supplying gas to Slovakia via Turkey and other countries, including Hungary. Ukraine has been defending itself against Russia's military invasion for the fourth year.

The Slovak prime minister again opposed the use of frozen Russian assets in the EU to help Ukraine. Leaders of EU member states postponed a decision on the matter until December. Belgium had previously raised the strongest objections, fearing possible legal risks. Most of the frozen Russian assets are held in Belgium.