Fico: Slovakia Could Approve New EU Sanctions on Russia if Demands Are Met

Slovakia may lift its objections to the European Union’s 19th package of sanctions against Russia if its economic concerns are addressed during this week’s EU leaders’ summit, said Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, as reported by Reuters on October 22.

Speaking before the summit, which begins on October 23 and will focus on the war in Ukraine and European defense, Fico told lawmakers he would meet German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to discuss Slovakia’s demands on energy policy and the car industry.

“If the conclusions we pushed for are included, I will likely tell Chancellor Merz that we agree with the 19th package,” he said, adding that some of Bratislava’s proposals had already been incorporated, according to Reuters.

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Slovakia, one of the EU’s most Russia-friendly members, had delayed approval of the sanctions while pressing for relief measures on high electricity prices and climate rules affecting automakers.

Fico, who has met russian leader Vladimir Putin three times since returning to power last year, argues that sanctions hurt Europe more than Russia, Reuters wrote.

The 19th sanctions package includes new restrictions in the energy and financial sectors. Slovakia remains heavily dependent on Russian energy imports and has joined other nations in opposing the EU’s plan to phase out combustion engines over the next decade, citing the impact on its auto-based economy.

Previously, it was reported that the EU Council has approved the RePowerEU mechanism, which mandates a complete phaseout of Russian fossil fuels by 2028.

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