Slovakia has rejected the European Commission's proposal to phase out Russian gas and other energy imports by the end of 2027. Prime Minister Robert Fico called the plan "unacceptable" in its current form, warning it would raise energy prices across the EU and hurt its economic competitiveness.
The European Commission announced it would propose legal measures next month to end imports of Russian gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and introduce trade restrictions on Russian enriched uranium. The goal is to sever long-standing energy ties with Russia following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Fico said while he supports reducing reliance on foreign energy, the EU’s plan could amount to "economic suicide", criticizing what he described as a new ideological divide between the West and countries like Russia. He added that Slovakia would push for changes during the legislative process.
The Commission's proposals will need backing from the European Parliament and a qualified majority of member states to become law.
Slovakia, which still receives gas and oil from Russia, has raised concerns about the consequences of terminating its long-term supply contract with Gazprom. Last year, 10 of the EU's 27 member states imported Russian gas. While most Russian oil has been sanctioned, gas imports continue via TurkStream and LNG, with Slovakia and Hungary opposing a full gas ban due to their dependence and closer ties to Moscow.
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz remains under its control, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of “total control” over t...
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has dismissed Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan and appointed former parliament speaker Alen Simon...
Online fast-fashion platform Shein lost a London copyright lawsuit against rival Temu on Thursday over photographs used to promote some products....
Disruption in the Strait of Hormuz has increased the strategic importance of Bab al-Mandab, raising fears that instability in both waterways could trigger a wider global energy and trade crisis.
Iran and the United States remain at loggerheads over efforts to agree a permanent end to the war in the Gulf, according to a senior Iranian source who said there had been no progress in talks to revive the interim deal agreed in June and define a timeframe to implement it.
Millions of people across Spain and Iceland are preparing on Wednesday to witness a rare total solar eclipse, when the moon will pass directly between Earth and the Sun, briefly turning daylight into darkness along a narrow path.
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz remains under its control, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of “total control” over the strategic waterway and insisting it will not reopen until Washington fulfils its commitments under an interim deal.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 12th of August, covering the latest developments.
Taiwan staged military defence drills on Wednesday as China concluded joint naval exercises with Indonesia in waters east of the island.
Washington’s counter-narcotics push is expanding as Colombia’s new conservative government backs deeper security cooperation.
Meta said it had removed more than 750,000 Facebook and Instagram accounts suspected of belonging to Australians under 16, as the country’s internet regulator weighs enforcement action over its teen social media ban.
Russia has accused Ukraine of threatening global grain supplies after recent strikes on Black Sea agricultural infrastructure, while Moscow carried out a new overnight attack on Ukraine’s major Danube port of Izmail.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has used Pacific Fleet drills to criticise Japan, NATO and possible Western moves against Russian commercial ships. He made the comments during his first visit to Iturup, a Japan-claimed island at the end of the Kuril chain near the island of Hokkaido.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment