Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico says he expects an agreement with the European Union by Tuesday, July 15, over lifting Slovakia’s veto on the EU’s 18th sanctions package against Russia, but warns he will continue to block it if energy guarantees are not provided.
Speaking at a press conference on July 12, Fico said Slovakia is open to supporting the sanctions package but only if it receives assurances about its energy needs, especially regarding the EU’s plan to phase out Russian fossil fuel imports. “If we support the sanctions package, it will be because we reached an agreement with the EU,” Fico said.
He made these remarks following a call with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who had urged Slovakia to end its resistance and allow the sanctions package to pass. However, Fico insisted he would block the measures “even at a cost of a great crisis” if Slovakia's energy needs are not addressed.
Fico warned that without an EU guarantee, Slovakia could face a gas shortage by 2028. He said concrete steps must be taken now to secure affordable gas supplies and avoid potential legal disputes with Russia’s Gazprom. Slovakia currently has a gas supply contract with Gazprom valid until 2034, which includes free gas transit to Slovakia. According to Fico, canceling this deal could lead to a €16 billion lawsuit and higher transit costs.
He emphasized that Slovakia is acting in its national interest and described the EU’s decision to phase out Russian energy by 2028 as “ideological” and “nonsensical,” blaming it on an “obsession against Russia.”
Although Slovakia significantly reduced its reliance on Russian gas during the winter of 2022–2023, imports rose again after Fico’s return to power in late 2023. Critics argue that Fico is under pressure from energy firm Eustream, partly owned by Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský, and from his party’s pro-Russian, anti-Western voter base.
Regional leaders, including Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala and Lithuania’s foreign minister, have criticized Fico’s stance. Analysts also say Fico’s remarks often appear on Russian state media, reinforcing Kremlin propaganda.
Fico ended his address by demanding a clear statement from the EU acknowledging the energy challenges its plan creates, particularly for landlocked countries like Slovakia.
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