Slovakia will allow the European Union’s 18th sanctions package against Russia, after blocking the EU's approval of the sanctions multiple times demanding guarantees against damages it fears from a separate EU plan to end all gas imports from Russia Prime Minister Robert Fico announced on Thursday.
"At this point, it would be counterproductive to continue blocking the 18th sanctions package tomorrow," Fico said in a video message posted on Facebook.
The European Commission last month proposed the 18th package of sanctions against Russia for its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, aimed at Moscow's energy revenue, banks, and military industry.
The proposed package included a floating price cap on Russian oil of 15% below the average market price of crude in the previous three months, EU diplomats have said.
The new set of restrictions would also ban transactions with Russia's Nord Stream gas pipelines, as well as banks that engage in sanctions circumvention.
Slovakia has vetoed the package several times to try to win concessions on the separate plan to phase out Russian oil and gas, which, unlike sanctions, does not need unanimous support from EU countries.
Bratislava continues to import Russian energy, including gas under a contract running until 2034, and often takes pro-Russian views on Ukraine.
Fico said on Tuesday that Slovakia had received guarantees from the Commission on assistance in case of potential gas shortages or jumps in prices and transit fees, and assistance in disputes over potential damage claims from Russian supplier Gazprom (GAZP.MM).
According to reports, the Commission sent a letter to Slovakia on Tuesday saying it would intervene in potential litigation, and it also clarified how an "emergency break" can be triggered if gas prices spike because of scarce supply during the Russian gas phase-out. The correspondence also said that Brussels will develop a solution that aims to reduce the costs of cross-border tariffs on gas and oil for Slovakia.
EU countries' ambassadors will meet on Friday morning to approve the new sanctions, according to EU diplomats speaking to Reuters.
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Tensions in the region remained high on Tuesday (10 March), as the United States and Iran exchanged increasingly sharp warnings, including threats over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
Global oil prices surpassed $119 a barrel on Monday (9 March, 2026), an almost four year high, as the Middle East conflict rumbled on.
China has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their dispute through dialogue after Chinese envoy Yue Xiaoyong met Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, as fighting between the two neighbours entered its eleventh day.
Entry and exit across the state border between Azerbaijan and Iran for all types of cargo vehicles, including those in transit, will resume on 9 March, according to a statement by the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan.
Iran named Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father Ali Khamenei as supreme leader on Monday (9 March), signaling that hardliners remain firmly in charge, as the week-old U.S.-Israeli war with Iran pushed oil above $100 a barrel.
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U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, has addressed the U.N. Security Council, saying the world must consider how effective its engagement with the Taliban-run country is as millions face hunger.
British MPs have rejected a proposal to introduce an Australia-style ban on social media for under-16s, opting instead to give ministers flexible powers to impose restrictions on platforms.
Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women footballers who sought asylum, fearing persecution after refusing to sing their national anthem at an Asia Cup match.
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