Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico says Bratislava will only back the EU’s 18th sanctions package on Russia if it secures guarantees for future gas supplies, citing national energy interests.
Slovakia’s government is conditioning its support for the EU’s latest sanctions on Russia on firm guarantees that it will continue to receive adequate and affordable gas supplies once Russian imports are phased out by 2028.
In a letter to Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, Slovak Premier Robert Fico asserted Slovakia's sovereign right to protect its energy security, linking the 18th sanctions package to the European Commission’s proposal to end all Russian gas deliveries by January 1, 2028.
Fico stressed that national interests must be respected: “We are requesting that the relevant stakeholders provide the Slovak Republic with the necessary guarantees … This is a matter of Slovak national interest.”
He also proposed a joint meeting between the Slovak and Czech governments to ease tensions. In response, Fiala urged Slovakia not to obstruct EU-wide measures, warning that unilateral opposition could isolate Bratislava within the bloc.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz echoed those concerns, urging Slovakia to lift its objections and allow the sanctions package to proceed.
The proposed 18th sanctions package includes expanded trade restrictions, asset freezes, and targeted measures against industries linked to Russia’s war effort. However, its adoption has been delayed multiple times due to Slovakia’s reservations.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday in Ankara as both countries explored new pathways for bil...
Central Asia, the South Caucasus and Pakistan have received a significant boost in their fight against the impacts of climate change with the approval...
Ukraine has introduced nationwide restrictions on electricity use, enforcing eight-hour daily limits following severe damage to power infrastructure....
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that Tehran is pursuing what he termed a policy of “provincial diplomacy” to promote Iran’s trade ...
Russia launched a wave of drone and missile strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure overnight, prompting nationwide electricity restrictions and ...
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday in Ankara as both countries explored new pathways for bilateral economic relations.
Central Asia, the South Caucasus and Pakistan have received a significant boost in their fight against the impacts of climate change with the approval of a $250 million grant.
The United Nations Security Council is holding open briefings and closed consultations on Sudan following what it called the "dire situation in El Fasher".
Ukraine has introduced nationwide restrictions on electricity use, enforcing eight-hour daily limits following severe damage to power infrastructure.
Nokia announced on Tuesday that chipmaker Nvidia will acquire a $1 billion stake in the company.
The deadliest police operation in Brazil's history killed at least 132 people, officials said on Wednesday, after Rio de Janeiro residents lined a street with dozens of corpses collected overnight, a week ahead of global climate events in the city.
Centrist liberal party D66, led by 38-year-old Rob Jetten, has made sweeping gains in the Dutch election, emerging neck and neck with Geert Wilders’ far-right Freedom Party (PVV) in early results — a stunning reversal just two years after D66 ranked sixth.
Reliable sources have confirmed to AnewZ that the United States has asked Azerbaijan to join a Stabilisation Force in Gaza, as part of a proposed international mission to secure the territory.
U.S. President Donald Trump agreed with President Xi Jinping to trim tariffs on China in exchange for Beijing cracking down on the illicit fentanyl trade, Trump said.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday in Ankara as both countries explored new pathways for bilateral economic relations.
Ukraine has introduced nationwide restrictions on electricity use, enforcing eight-hour daily limits following severe damage to power infrastructure.
Russia launched a wave of drone and missile strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure overnight, prompting nationwide electricity restrictions and killing one person in the city of Zaporizhzhia, officials said on Thursday.
Israeli forces crossed into southern Lebanon overnight, killing a municipal employee in a border town raid that prompted Lebanon’s president to order the army to confront any future incursions, state media said on Thursday.
APEC countries are close to agreeing a joint trade declaration at their annual summit in South Korea, the host’s foreign minister has said, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s early exit.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment