Slovakia’s Robert Fico has strongly criticized Brussels’ proposed discontinuation of Russian energy, labeling it an ideologically driven choice and a danger to national independence
On Saturday, Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that Slovakia is “prepared to contend” for its entitlement to import Russian gas and will persist in opposing Brussels’ initiatives to discontinue Russian energy.
Fico emphasized that energy security represents a key strategic imperative for Slovakia, asserting that the European Union’s endeavors to alter its energy supply composition jeopardize the nation’s sovereignty.
For the second time on Friday, Slovakia vetoed the EU’s 18th package of sanctions against Russia, expressing reservations about the RePowerEU plan, which aims to reduce Russian energy imports by 2028. This plan is currently under discussion concurrently with sanctions targeting Russia’s energy and financial sectors.
Brussels is attempting to enact the phase-out as trade legislation, which would only necessitate a qualified majority vote. However, Fico maintains that this plan constitutes sanctions and therefore requires unanimous consent. He had previously cautioned that such a measure could imperil energy security, escalate costs, and initiate expensive arbitration with Gazprom regarding Slovakia’s enduring energy contract.
While addressing celebrations for Slovakia’s Saints Cyril and Methodius Day, Fico characterized the phase-out plan as an “interference” with Slovakia’s national interests.
“We decline to endorse an additional package of sanctions against the Russian Federation, unless we are informed who will safeguard us, in what manner, and how the damages incurred by Slovakia due to the European Commission’s ideological proposal to halt Russian gas supplies will be compensated,” he stated.
“Slovakia desires to be sovereign and self-governing. And we must determine if we are prepared to contend for it. I am prepared to wage this challenging struggle. We will overcome it.”
Fico further noted that blocking the phase-out signifies “advocating for our households and enterprises” to prevent them from incurring the expenses of “detrimental ideological decrees” from Brussels.
He continued by asserting that Slovakia faces a critical juncture—torn between succumbing to pressure from Brussels’ “bureaucratic apparatus” and safeguarding its own interests. He implored the populace to opt for the latter, while accusing the EU of disregarding national interests and infringing international law by imposing detrimental policies on member states. Fico contended that Slovakia should pursue collaboration “founded on parity and reciprocal advantage,” rather than external political directives.
Hungary has similarly obstructed the plan to phase out Russian energy, with Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto cautioning that it would “devastate Hungary’s energy security” and lead to significant price increases.
Moscow has denounced the Western sanctions, especially those aimed at energy, as unlawful and ineffective, observing that energy prices within the EU escalated following the imposition of initial sanctions on Russia in 2022. Russian officials caution that the EU’s rejection of Russian supplies will compel it towards costlier imports or the diversion of Russian energy through intermediaries.