EU responds to Slovak PM's ultimatum over 18th Russia sanctions package
Photo: Robert Fico, Prime Minister of Slovakia (Getty Images)
The European Commission will engage with Slovakia over its threats to block the adoption of the 18th package of sanctions against Russia, stated Commission spokesperson Paula Pinho during a press briefing.
Pinho recalled that all previous sanctions packages against Russia were adopted unanimously by all EU member states. Achieving the same unanimous support for the 18th package remains the Commission's goal.
She added that the Commission is working with all member states, including Slovakia, to hear their concerns and find ways to address them.
As the Commission spokesperson noted, in recent years, and especially since the start of Russia's war against Ukraine, the EU has been working closely with all member states to phase out the import of fossil fuels from Russia, and so far, this has been successful. A legislative proposal to formalize this step is expected soon.
Pinho added that it will be determined what the claims are and whether they have already been addressed during the work carried out in recent years "to diversify and to make sure that all member states are in a safe position", particularly in terms of energy security.
Fico's threats
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has threatened to veto the adoption of the EU's 18th package of sanctions against Russia. He vowed to take such action if the European Commission fails to offer Bratislava a solution to cope with the consequences of phasing out Russian energy supplies.
Fico described the move away from Russian gas, oil, and nuclear fuel as economic suicide.
