Slovak Premier states country is ‘ready to fight’ for Russian gas
(MENAFN) Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico declared on Saturday that the country is “ready to fight” to maintain its right to import Russian gas and will continue blocking EU proposals aimed at phasing out Russian energy supplies. Fico emphasized that energy security is a crucial national priority and warned that Brussels’ plans to alter Slovakia’s energy mix threaten the nation’s sovereignty.
For the second time, Slovakia vetoed the EU’s 18th sanctions package against Russia, citing concerns over the RePowerEU initiative, which aims to eliminate Russian energy imports by 2028. While the EU intends to pass the phase-out through trade legislation requiring only a qualified majority, Fico argues it constitutes sanctions and therefore requires unanimous approval. He also cautioned that the move could harm energy security, increase prices, and lead to costly legal disputes with Gazprom over Slovakia’s long-term contracts.
During the Saints Cyril and Methodius Day celebrations, Fico described the phase-out plan as a “disruption” to Slovakia’s national interests. He stated that Slovakia will not support further sanctions against Russia unless it is assured protection and compensation for any damage caused by the European Commission’s ideological push to stop Russian gas supplies.
Fico framed the veto as a defense of Slovak households and businesses against the financial burdens of what he calls harmful ideological decisions from Brussels. He positioned Slovakia at a crossroads between succumbing to bureaucratic pressure from the EU and defending its national interests, urging citizens to choose sovereignty and accusing Brussels of violating international law by imposing damaging policies.
Hungary has similarly opposed the energy phase-out, with Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto warning it would destroy Hungarian energy security and cause price spikes.
Moscow has condemned Western sanctions as unlawful and self-defeating, highlighting the surge in EU energy prices since the sanctions began in 2022 and warning that the bloc’s rejection of Russian supplies will force it to rely on costlier alternatives or redirected Russian energy via intermediaries.
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