Slovakia will not support the 18th package of European Union sanctions against Russia until it receives clear guarantees that it will not suffer financial losses due to the cessation of Russian gas supplies to the EU from January 1, 2028.
This was announced on July 10 by the Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico.
Slovakia will not support the 18th package of EU sanctions against Russia
He confirmed that Slovakia will not vote for the adoption of the 18th package of sanctions against Russia, which is planned to be submitted to the EU Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper) in Brussels on July 11.
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“We refuse to simply vote for the 18th package of sanctions without preconditions. Our support depends on the resolution of our concerns about gas prices, security of supply and compensation for the losses we will suffer as a result of the interruption of Russian gas supplies from 1 January 2028,” Fico said.
He noted that the issue between Slovakia and the European Commission “has not yet been resolved.” Therefore, the country's ambassador was instructed not to support the 18th package of sanctions.
Fico said he could not allow “meaningless ideological gestures, such as cutting off Russian gas supplies, to cause serious damage to our state.”
He also noted that negotiations with the European Commission are ongoing and have positive dynamics.
“I must admit that the European Commission is making efforts to find a solution for Slovakia. On some open issues we are close to agreement, on others we are still far away… I sincerely hope for an early agreement with the Commission that will lead to an adjustment of its proposal to phase out Russian gas in a way that protects Slovakia,” Fico added.
Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Olga Stefanishyna noted that this week EU countries should come to an agreement on a new package of sanctions.
The 18th package of sanctions against Russia was again put up for consideration during the meeting of EU ambassadors in Brussels on July 4, but was not adopted due to Slovakia’s position.
Bratislava is blocking the decision, demanding guarantees from the European Commission regarding the consequences of a complete refusal to use Russian gas from 2028.
