Slovakia Delays EU Sanctions Amid Economic Concerns
Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico has reiterated his resistance to new sanctions against Russia until the upcoming European Council summit provides clear guidance to address the crisis in the automotive sector and the soaring energy prices affecting the European economy, reports 24brussels.
Fico declared, “I am not interested in dealing with new sanctions packages against Russia until I see, in the conclusions of the [European Council] summit, political instructions for the European Commission on how to address the crisis in the automotive industry and the high energy prices that are making the European economy completely uncompetitive.”
He further asserted that the Slovak government would present significantly more detailed proposals than those currently reflected in the draft conclusions circulating among EU member states.
A draft of the conclusions obtained earlier this week reaffirms the EU’s commitment to supporting Ukraine amid Russia’s invasion. It emphasizes the necessity for Ukraine to maintain its resilience and ensure the resources required for its self-defense and to counter Russian aggression. The draft also highlights economic competitiveness, advocating a major initiative aimed at reducing regulation pressures on businesses.
The draft states, “The European Council calls on the Commission to swiftly bring forward further ambitious simplification packages among others on automotive, military mobility, digital, environment, and food safety.”
Slovakia has a history of opposing stricter EU sanctions on Russia, arguing that these measures have failed to prompt a negotiating table engagement from Moscow. Instead, the country has utilized temporary exemptions to increase its reliance on Russian energy imports.
According to diplomatic sources, Slovakia continues to exercise its veto power against the EU’s latest sanctions package targeting Russia—the 19th proposed since the onset of the full-scale conflict—even as other EU nations near consensus following a meeting of ambassadors this week.
