The European Union has approved its 18th package of sanctions against Russia. EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, confirmed the news on Friday, calling it “one of the strongest sanctions packages” to date.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) announced Thursday that Slovakia will no longer block the package, after vetoing it six times. He called further vetoes counterproductive and a threat to Slovakia’s interests.
According to Fico, Slovakia secured written guarantees from the European Commission addressing concerns about gas prices, supply security, and compensation for high energy costs. The country also negotiated the Commission’s participation in any potential arbitration with Russia’s Gazprom for non-compliance with the current gas supply contract, valid until 2034.
However, Fico emphasised Slovakia will not back the EU’s RePowerEU plan to end Russian gas imports by 2028, citing risks to competitiveness and national interests. He warned that the fight over Russian gas supplies will continue, with future sanction proposals expected.
Source: TASR, AFP, Reuters
