Pellegrini handed over a petition for a referendum on lifting sanctions against Russia in Slovakia

The office of Slovak President Peter Pellegrini has received a petition from citizens of the country asking them to hold a referendum on lifting sanctions against Russia, the Konzervatívny denník Postoj newspaper reported on May 5.

The initiators of the idea were representatives of the extra-parliamentary Slovak Renaissance Movement (SDV). According to media reports, the organizers have collected almost 400,000 signatures under the appeal.

The referendum is supposed to ask the question: "Do you agree that the Slovak Republic should not apply sanctions against the Russian Federation, which harm Slovak citizens, merchants and entrepreneurs?"

According to the country's constitution, the head of state can announce a popular vote if at least 350,000 citizens demand it. At the same time, the referendum must be announced within 30 days from the date of receipt of the appeal.

"It is in the interests of the European Union to lift sanctions as soon as possible"

Deputy Chairman of the Slovak Parliament Tibor Gaspar — on the development of relations with the Russian Federation, prospects for Ukraine's membership in NATO and cooperation with BRICS

Pavol Slota, a Slovak activist and chairman of the DOMOV party, said on April 22 that the country had collected the necessary number of signatures (350,000) to hold a referendum on lifting sanctions against Russia.

The head of the Slovak Parliament's international affairs committee, Marian Carey, told Izvestia on April 9 that the country had no plans to support the 17th package of EU anti-Russian sanctions. According to him, Fico and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban oppose the adoption of those sanctions that will harm states.