Slovakia Vows to Resist EU Russian Gas Phase-Out Plan

(MENAFN) Slovakia will stand firm in defending its right to continue importing Russian gas, Prime Minister Robert Fico declared on Saturday, vowing to resist efforts by Brussels to eliminate Russian energy from the EU market.

Fico emphasized that maintaining energy security is a critical priority for Slovakia and warned that the European Union’s proposed shift away from Russian suppliers poses a direct threat to the country's sovereignty.

On Friday, Slovakia issued its second veto of the EU’s 18th sanctions package against Russia. The block centers on objections to the RePowerEU initiative, a policy aimed at ending Russian energy imports by 2028. The plan, under review alongside broader sanctions on Russia’s energy and financial sectors, has become a flashpoint.

While Brussels aims to advance the energy phase-out through trade legislation—which would only require a qualified majority—Fico contends the measure should be classified as a sanction, demanding unanimous support from all EU member states. He has repeatedly cautioned that the move could undermine Slovakia’s energy stability, drive up costs, and potentially spark expensive legal disputes with Gazprom, the Russian energy giant tied to Slovakia through a long-term supply agreement.

Speaking at an event commemorating Saints Cyril and Methodius Day, Fico denounced the proposal as a direct threat to national interests.

“We refuse to support another sanctions package against the Russian Federation, unless we know who will protect us, and how, and compensate for the damage that will be caused to Slovakia by the ideological proposal of the European Commission to stop supplies of Russian gas,” he stated.

He continued by framing the issue as a matter of sovereignty and national resolve:“Slovakia wants to be sovereign and self-determined. And we must answer whether we are ready to fight for it. I am ready to fight this difficult battle. We are going to get through it.”

Fico asserted that rejecting the gas phase-out is about defending Slovak citizens and businesses from absorbing the economic fallout of what he called “harmful ideological decisions” driven by Brussels.

He framed the situation as a critical juncture for Slovakia, urging the nation to choose between succumbing to pressure from EU institutions or standing firm in defense of its national interests. The prime minister accused the bloc of undermining national sovereignty and breaching international law by enforcing harmful policies on member states. He emphasized the importance of building partnerships based on mutual benefit and equality, not dictated by outside political agendas.

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