Slovakia will not back Russia sanctions for now, Fico says, seeking gas solution

Bratislava, June 17 (ČTK) - Slovakia will ask the European Union to postpone a vote on a new package of sanctions against Russia, which Bratislava will not support until the issue of Russian gas imports into the EU is resolved. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico told journalists today. The European Commission intends to ban imports of Russian gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) into the EU by the end of 2027. Approving or extending sanctions against Russia in connection with its continued military aggression against Ukraine requires unanimity among the member states of the European bloc. A week ago, the European Commission presented its 18th package of anti-Russian sanctions. It proposed further restrictions on Russia’s energy and banking sectors, a lower price cap on Russian oil and a ban on the use of Nord Stream pipeline infrastructure.

The EU wants the new sanctions to increase pressure on Russia and persuade it to come to the negotiating table and agree to a ceasefire in the conflict with Ukraine. After diplomatic preparations, the bloc’s foreign ministers could discuss the sanctions on Monday, June 23.

Slovakia and Hungary opposed a plan to end imports of Russian gas in Luxembourg on Monday. This is a separate proposal by the Commission, not directly part of the new sanctions package. Most countries supported the plan, but some warned of possible legal risks or financial penalties resulting from breaches of long-term contract terms.

“If we halt gas imports from the east, prices will rise. This decision will reduce the EU’s competitiveness. This proposal harms the Slovak Republic and other countries in the region,” Fico claimed.

According to the Slovak prime minister, the Commission’s initiative is ideological, and the proposal in question is linked to Ukraine, which has been defending itself against Russia’s military invasion since February 2022. Slovak households could face a 30 to 50 percent increase in gas prices as a result, he said. “I believe Slovak households should not have to pay more because of Ukraine,” Fico said.

The EU executive’s plan includes nine specific measures for a coordinated and gradual phase-out of energy supplies from Russia. It proposes, for example, that the European Union ban new contracts with Russian gas suppliers and terminate existing spot contracts by the end of the year. According to the Commission, these measures will ensure that the remaining Russian gas supplies to the EU are reduced by one third by the end of this year. The European Commission will also propose ending all remaining imports of Russian gas by the end of 2027.

Individual measures concerning a ban on Russian gas imports into the EU will be approved by qualified majority. This will make it possible to outvote Slovakia and Hungary, which jointly blocked a joint statement by EU ministers on energy security on Monday.