Slovak PM slams EU’s Russian gasoline ban, calls for sanctions vote delay

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has written to European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen, criticising the EU’s plan to part out Russian gasoline by 1 January 2028 underneath the REPowerEU technique and urging a delay in voting on the EU’s 18th sanctions package deal towards Russia.

Supply: Fico on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda

Particulars: In his letter, Fico sharply criticised the European Fee’s proposal to finish Russian gasoline imports after 1 January 2028 underneath the REPowerEU technique.

Quote from Fico: "Slovak Republic won’t ever assist REPowerEU in gasoline provides, as it’s going to hurt Slovak households and the economic system and additional scale back competitiveness of your entire European Union."

Fico argued that by selling REPowerEU, the European Fee is "grossly ignoring the political mandate accredited by the European Council".

He emphasised that his stance is "constant and may come as no shock to anybody", although Slovakia can’t veto REPowerEU.

Fico said that Bratislava views the proposal as a "sanction" and ties it to the EU’s 18th sanctions package deal towards Russia. He insisted the vote on the sanctions package deal must be postponed till vital dangers to Slovakia’s gasoline provide are addressed.

The Prime Minister famous a scarcity of "slight consensus" in Slovakia for the European Fee’s place, with enterprise representatives expressing "extraordinarily unfavorable" views on the initiative.

Fico urged von der Leyen to make use of the approaching hours and days for continued dialogue with the Slovak authorities, significantly to make clear the European Fee’s commitments.

Till then, Slovakia will request a postponement of the vote on the 18th sanctions package deal.

Background:

• The 18th sanctions package deal towards Russia was one of many principal matters on the EU International Affairs Council assembly on 15 July. The EU’s chief diplomat Kaja Kallas mentioned the international locations had been very near settlement and expressed hope that the choice could be adopted on that day.
• Slovakia is obstructing the sanctions with a view to receive ensures from the European Fee relating to the results of fully abandoning Russian gasoline from 2028.
• Malta reportedly has its personal considerations relating to the proposed reducing of the worth cap on Russian oil.