Jul 15, 2025
Slovakia’s prime minister has reiterated his opposition to the EU’s “imbecilic” policy of ceasing Russian energy imports from 2028 and said Bratislava will continue to veto the latest sanctions package on Moscow.
In a strongly worded Facebook post on Tuesday, Robert Fico said the European Commission (EC) had offered certain energy guarantees only because Bratislava has used its veto to block the EU’s 18th sanctions package.
He posted a letter from the EC’s president, Ursula von der Leyen, which he said he had forwarded to other political parties in Slovakia. They had all dismissed the proposals it contained as “insufficient,” with some even describing them as “nothing,” Fico said.
He said the ruling coalition rejects the EC’s “imbecilic proposal to stop the flow of Russian gas from 2028.” He added that he had instructed Slovakia’s representative to Brussels to seek a postponement of the sanctions vote.
Fico pointed out that the Commission can implement its energy policy without Slovakia’s consent as it does not require unanimity from all 27 member states. The sanctions, however, do require unanimity, and Fico has so far blocked them in a bid to force concessions.
Slovakia is heavily dependent on Russian hydrocarbons and has consistently opposed moves to cease supplies. Bratislava seeks exemption from the policy and permission to maintain its current contract with Russian gas giant Gazprom until it expires in 2034.
The EC has rejected this proposal, arguing that it would undermine the policy in principle.
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