Fico Lifts Block on EU Sanctions After Securing Energy Deal

• Jul 18, 2025

Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico says his government will no longer block the European Union’s 18th sanctions package against Russia, after receiving what he described as energy guarantees from the EU. He made the announcement in a Facebook video on the evening of July 17.

Fico, known for his populist positions, had previously refused to support the new sanctions unless Slovakia was given assurances about how it would be affected by the EU’s planned phase-out of Russian fossil fuel imports. He now says further resistance would no longer serve the country’s interests.

“At this moment, it would be counterproductive to continue with the blocking of the 18th sanctions package tomorrow as well,” Fico stated. “All the possibilities are now exhausted and insisting on our blocking position would threaten our interests.”

He added that he had instructed Slovakia’s EU representatives to allow the sanctions package to proceed on July 18. However, he emphasized that this was only the end of the first phase in his ongoing energy battle with the European Commission, particularly over gas.

Fico revealed that the next stage involves negotiating compensation for gas prices and securing EU support in case Slovakia is sued by Russian gas supplier Gazprom. He said Slovakia still has a valid contract with Gazprom until 2034, which includes free gas delivery to the Slovak border and full transit fee coverage.

According to Fico, cancelling the deal could expose Slovakia to a €16 billion lawsuit and force the country to pay higher gas transit fees. He defended his approach as being in the national interest and stressed that Slovakia’s past role as a major gas transit hub should not be overlooked.

Fico also criticized the European Commission’s plan to completely cut Russian gas imports by January 1, 2028, calling it an “imbecile proposal.” He timed his statement to coincide with the 33rd anniversary of Slovakia’s sovereignty declaration.

Opposition leaders in Slovakia have accused Fico of damaging the country’s image and making vague, populist claims online instead of negotiating concrete results. Although Slovakia had nearly stopped importing Russian gas during the 2022–2023 winter, the imports rose again after Fico returned to power in late 2023.

Analysts say Fico’s stance reflects both political pressure from pro-Russian voters and possible influence from Eustream, Slovakia’s gas transmission firm. Eustream is partly controlled by Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský’s EPH group, which holds 49% of the company and manages its operations