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Slovakia Blocks EU Sanctions on Russia Over Gas Phase-Out

JUL 11 2025·Updated JUL 13 2025

Story

Above: Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico attends the European Council meeting on June 26, 2025, in Brussels, Belgium. Image credit: Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images

The Facts

Slovakia has maintained its veto on the EU's 18th sanctions package against Russia, blocking approval during multiple meetings of EU ambassadors in Brussels as the country demands guarantees regarding the proposed phase-out of Russian fossil fuels by 2027-2028.
TASS
EuroNews
Prime Minister Robert Fico has conditioned Slovakia's support on receiving financial compensation, guaranteed access to affordable gas, maintained transit fees, and legal protection against potential Gazprom lawsuits worth €16-20 billion ($18.7-23.3 billion) related to contract termination.
American Spectator
EuroNews
The sanctions package targets Russia's financial and energy sectors, including restrictions on the Nord Stream pipelines, and comes as Moscow launched record-breaking drone and missile attacks against Ukrainian cities, creating urgency among member states.
Baltictimes
EuroNews
Slovakia's opposition stems from concerns about the European Commission's REPowerEU proposal to end Russian energy imports, which the country argues will raise consumer prices, weaken competitiveness, and endanger energy security as a landlocked nation.
American Spectator
EuroNews
Bilateral talks between Brussels and Bratislava have included expert missions to Slovakia focusing on energy diversification and price mitigation, but no breakthrough has been achieved despite positive statements from both sides about continued negotiations.
TASS
EuroNews

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

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PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

After 17 sanctions packages already passed, Fico is rightfully standing up for his country against European elites who don't care how their geopolitical schemes affect sovereign nations. Slovakia's industries rely on affordable Russian gas, which is why Fico must defy Brussels to protect households and businesses from soaring prices. The EU has no right to impose its rogue agenda upon the people of Slovakia.

Narrative B

Fico is protecting Russian interests, not Slovakia's. His reliance on Russian gas, despite Moscow's energy blackmail in Moldova and Transnistria, risks Europe's sovereignty. By obstructing EU efforts to diversify energy, Fico is driving up costs for Slovaks, as seen in Moldova's price hikes. His pro-Russia stance isolates Slovakia, weakens EU unity, and undermines competitiveness, hurting his own nation's future.