Slovakia may lift block on new EU sanctions against Russia: Fico reveals condition
Photo: Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (Getty Images)
Slovakia may support the new, already 18th sanctions package of the European Union against Russia, which it previously blocked. But first, Bratislava wants to agree with its partners on the replacement of Russian gas, according to Politico.
Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, during communication with the press on July 12, suggested that the sanctions package would be unblocked. But the main condition is an agreement with European partners on easing the ban on Russian gas.
“We need to win something in this fight, though it will not be a 100-0 result,” he stated.
According to Fico, this issue has already been discussed with the leaders of Germany and France. The Slovak Prime Minister explained that his country wants to receive political guarantees for solving the problem from the European Commission and EU partners.
“We want to resolve this by Tuesday (July 15 – ed.) because tensions are rising on all sides,” he added.
Slovakia blocks EU sanctions against Russia
The European Commission on June 10 presented a new package of restrictions against Russia. The sanctions are intended to impact Moscow’s revenues from energy companies, banks, and the military industry. However, Slovakia and Hungary, two pro-Russian countries, refused to support the new sanctions package.
On July 9, it became known that due to Slovakia’s opposition, EU ambassadors again failed to reach an agreement on the 18th package of sanctions against Russia because of Slovakia’s blocking. And on July 10, the media reported that Fico instructed Slovakia’s ambassador to continue blocking the sanctions.
