BRATISLAVA – Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced on Thursday evening that Slovakia will no longer block the approval of the 18th package of sanctions by the European Union against the Russian Federation. In a video posted on his Facebook page, he stated that further opposition to the sanctions package would harm Slovak national interests.

Slovakia had previously withheld its consent to the sanctions, which the EU prepared as a response to Russia's ongoing aggression in Ukraine. Bratislava had conditioned its position on guarantees in another matter – specifically, regarding opposition to a European Commission initiative aimed at gradually phasing out the import of Russian natural gas into EU member states.

In a statement, Fico said that Slovakia had ultimately received the requested guarantees and that "at this point, there are no longer reasons to block the approval of the new sanctions." However, the Prime Minister did not provide details about the content of these guarantees.

At the same time, the Prime Minister sharply criticized the plan to phase out Russian gas imports, calling it "idiotic." "We consider this proposal to be technically and economically unrealistic and highly damaging to Slovakia," Fico said. According to him, the adoption of such a measure could jeopardize the country's energy security and the affordability of energy for households and businesses.

Fico also emphasized that his government is initiating "the next phase of the confrontation with the European Commission" regarding plans for the energy sector transformation. "Slovakia will not stand idly by while steps are taken that contradict its economic interests and common sense," he added.

The Slovak Prime Minister is thus attempting to balance loyalty to the unified European foreign policy with the effort to protect national energy interests. Slovakia is one of the countries most dependent on imports of Russian gas, and any changes in this area have significant implications for the economy and households.

The European Commission has not yet commented on Fico's remarks. The adoption of the 18th package of sanctions against Russia is expected to take place during the course of Friday, provided that no other member state raises objections.

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