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Slovakia Threatens to Block EU’s 18th Russia Sanctions Over Energy Security Demands

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Dariia Mykhailenko
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Slovakia Threatens to Block EU’s 18th Russia Sanctions Over Energy Security Demands
Robert Fico, Slovakia's prime minister, at the European Political Community summit in Tirana, Albania, on May 16, 2025. (Source: Getty Images)

Slovakia will not support the European Union’s 18th sanctions package against Russia unless the European Commission presents a viable plan to address the country’s energy security, Prime Minister Robert Fico stated, according to Reuters on June 11.

The proposed sanctions package includes new restrictions targeting Russian energy revenues, banks, and the military-industrial complex. It also proposes a ban on transactions related to the Nord Stream pipelines and a reduction in the price cap on Russian oil to $45 per barrel.

Fico criticized the EU’s gradual phase-out of Russian gas, oil, and nuclear fuel, calling the policy “economic suicide.” He warned that Slovakia cannot endorse sanctions that would compromise its energy supply.

“Slovakia will not support the upcoming 18th sanctions package against Russia unless the European Commission provides it with a real solution to the crisis situation that Slovakia will find itself in after the complete cessation of gas, oil and nuclear fuel supplies from Russia,” he stated.

To date, according to Reuters, Slovakia has supported all previous rounds of EU sanctions against Russia.

Earlier, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had presented the EU’s 18th sanctions package against Russia—a robust set of measures designed to further cut off the Kremlin’s revenue streams and strengthen enforcement mechanisms.

The latest package targets three priority areas: Russian energy exports, the banking sector, and the export of critical technologies used in weapons manufacturing. It also introduces significant measures to combat sanctions evasion.

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