Fico announced Slovakia's support for the 18th package of EU sanctions against Russia

Slovakia will not block the adoption of the 18th package of European Union (EU) sanctions against Russia. This was announced on July 17 by the Prime Minister of the Republic Robert Fico.

In his opinion, it is "counterproductive" to continue blocking the 18th package of sanctions at this stage. Fico added that all possibilities for negotiations have already been exhausted, and maintaining the blocking position could jeopardize Slovakia's interests.

"While maintaining our positions in the EU, we must survive the dark period of this international organization, which we consider our living space. I am instructing our representatives in the EU to clear the way for the 18th sanctions package tomorrow," he said in a message posted on his Facebook page (owned by Meta, a company recognized as extremist and banned in the Russian Federation).

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.

In a letter to the President of the European Commission (EC) Ursula von der Leyen on July 16, Fico said that Slovakia would continue to block the approval of the 18th package of EU sanctions against Russia until it received specific guarantees on energy issues.