Fico promised to block a new package of sanctions against Russia until receiving energy guarantees.

Bratislava will continue to block the approval of the 18th package of European Union (EU) sanctions against Russia until it receives specific guarantees from Brussels on energy issues. This was announced on Wednesday, July 16, by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in a letter to the President of the European Commission (EC) Ursula von der Leyen.

"We expect that a vote on the 18th package can take place only after the significant risks associated with gas supplies after 2028 are resolved," the letter says.

According to the prime minister, this position is supported by all Slovak political parties, which considered the guarantees proposed by the European Commission insufficient in the context of the EU's refusal from Russian gas after 2028.

Fico also called for using the coming hours and days to continue negotiations with the Slovak government.

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.

On the same day, the Reuters news agency reported that the EU countries were again unable to adopt the 18th package of anti-Russian sanctions due to Slovakia's disagreement. It was noted that Slovakia refuses to coordinate the adoption of sanctions until it receives guarantees that the EU's plan to phase out Russian gas will not harm it.

On June 26, Fico stressed that restrictions against the Russian Federation do not work, and the sanctions policy makes sense precisely when it really has an impact.