Slovakia holds firm on blocking EU's 18th Russia sanctions package Over energy concerns

Slovakia has once again blocked the adoption of the European Union's 18th package of sanctions against Russia, reaffirming its position during a meeting of EU member state ambassadors in Brussels on July 4.

The Slovak Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs confirmed the move, which reflects Bratislava’s ongoing concerns over the EU’s RePowerEU initiative — a strategy aimed at ending Russian gas imports to the bloc by January 1, 2028, Caliber.Az reports, citing TASR.

The Slovak government, led by Prime Minister Robert Fico, has repeatedly stated it will not support further sanctions against Moscow unless the European Commission provides adequate guarantees regarding energy security.

The government argues that the RePowerEU plan could have serious economic repercussions for Slovakia, which remains heavily reliant on Russian gas.

In a statement provided to Slovakia's news agency, the foreign ministry said:

"The Slovak Republic welcomed technical talks with representatives of the European Commission on energy and the RePowerEU initiative, which aimed to improve understanding of Slovakia's concerns and demands as one of the most affected member states."

A delegation from the European Commission’s high-level working group visited Slovakia this week to address the issue.

According to the ministry, Slovak energy companies, the Ministry of Economy, and industrial stakeholders all highlighted that the RePowerEU proposal poses a significant challenge to the country's competitiveness, particularly in terms of energy prices and security.

While Bratislava remains open to dialogue, the ministry stressed that talks have yet to resolve its core objections.

"Slovakia maintains its current stance regarding the 18th sanctions package," the ministry stated.

"We remain ready to engage in constructive dialogue with the European Commission, and to continue seeking solutions that serve the interests of both citizens and businesses. However, fundamental concerns related to the RePowerEU proposal persist."

By Aghakazim Guliyev