BRATISLAVA - Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said on 17 April that Slovakia will file a case with the European Court of Justice in the coming days against the EU's decision to ban imports of Russian natural gas.

Robert Fico said that this decision „clearly violates all the principles on which the EU treaties are based“ and stressed that sanctions and foreign policy issues should be adopted by unanimity of all member states.

On 26 January, all 27 EU member states approved legislation on a phased ban on imports of Russian pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Under the legislation, a full ban on Russian LNG imports will come into force at the beginning of 2027, while a full ban on pipeline gas imports is due to come into force in autumn 2027.

CMG