Slovakia again blocked the adoption of the 18th package of sanctions against Russia

Slovakia has again blocked the adoption of the 18th package of sanctions against Russia at the ambassadorial level, TASR news agency reported on July 4, citing the country's Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.

"On Friday, July 4, the Slovak Republic, at the level of the ambassadors of the member states to the European Union, again blocked the adoption of the 18th package of sanctions against Russia," the statement said.

The agency stressed that the Slovak government requires energy security guarantees within the framework of the RePowerEU program, the EU plan to abandon Russian gas from 2028, since without them this initiative may have too negative consequences for the country's economy.

It is noted that the republic is ready to continue a constructive dialogue with the European Commission, but so far the negotiations have not dispelled the main concerns related to RePowerEU.

Right of veto: Slovakia intends to exchange the 18th package of sanctions for gas guarantees

The republic will appeal to the European Parliament to preserve fuel imports from the Russian Federation, and in the meantime, a delegation from Brussels is going to Bratislava for negotiations.

The Politico newspaper reported on June 30 that the adoption of the 18th package of sanctions against Russia in the European Union (EU) is postponed due to disagreements with a number of countries. In turn, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stressed on June 26 that restrictions against the Russian Federation do not work, and the sanctions policy makes sense precisely when it really has an impact.