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.
Torrential monsoon rains continue to wreak havoc across northern and eastern India, with widespread flooding reported in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal...
Volcanoes can ground planes, bury towns, and reshape landscapes in hours. With over 850 eruptions since 2015, Earth is constantly reminding us of its...
Tesla has granted Elon Musk a $29 billion share award as part of a new compensation plan to retain him as CEO while the company shifts focus from elec...
Beijing had evacuated over 70,000 residents by Monday afternoon as authorities issued fresh warnings of intense rainfall, just a week after deadly flo...
Talks on a global treaty to reduce plastic pollution risk falling apart as countries remain divided over how to limit plastic production....
Torrential monsoon rains continue to wreak havoc across northern and eastern India, with widespread flooding reported in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Overflowing rivers, submerged streets, and landslides have left residents stranded and local infrastructure overwhelmed.
Volcanoes can ground planes, bury towns, and reshape landscapes in hours. With over 850 eruptions since 2015, Earth is constantly reminding us of its raw power, but why does it erupt, and what can we expect next?
Tesla has granted Elon Musk a $29 billion share award as part of a new compensation plan to retain him as CEO while the company shifts focus from electric cars to robotaxis and AI. The move revives elements of a controversial 2018 package previously struck down by a Delaware court.
Beijing had evacuated over 70,000 residents by Monday afternoon as authorities issued fresh warnings of intense rainfall, just a week after deadly floods left dozens dead in the city’s worst deluge since 2012.
The world’s biggest dance music festival faces an unexpected setback as a fire destroys its main stage, prompting a last-minute response from organisers determined to keep the party alive in Boom, Belgium.
According to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck the Oaxaca region of Mexico on Saturday.
Australian researchers have created a groundbreaking “biological AI” platform that could revolutionise drug discovery by rapidly evolving molecules within mammalian cells.
China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will send an upgraded ‘version 3.0’ free-trade agreement to their heads of government for approval in October, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Saturday after regional talks in Kuala Lumpur.
A series of earthquakes have struck Guatemala on Tuesday afternoon, leading authorities to advise residents to evacuate from buildings as a precaution against possible aftershocks.
Talks on a global treaty to reduce plastic pollution risk falling apart as countries remain divided over how to limit plastic production.
The Kremlin responded cautiously to U.S. President Donald Trump's order to reposition nuclear submarines, urging restraint in nuclear rhetoric and emphasizing the importance of diplomacy during rising tensions over Ukraine.
On Monday, the Kremlin announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin may meet U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff this week as part of ongoing efforts to mediate the Russia-Ukraine conflict. U.S. President Donald Trump also warned of possible sanctions if a ceasefire is not reached soon.
Two new videos released by Palestinian militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad have sparked international condemnation and renewed pressure on Israel and the global community to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza since the October 7, 2023 attacks.
Preliminary discussions between Thai and Cambodian defence officials began on Monday in Malaysia, setting the stage for a high-level ministerial meeting scheduled for Thursday, as a fragile ceasefire continues to hold following last week's border clashes.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment