Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Thursday that his country will end its blockade of a new EU sanctions package against Russia.

Slovakia had been holding up the 18th EU sanctions package against Russia over concerns regarding a separate EU plan to stop gas imports from Russia beginning in 2028.
EU ambassadors are expected to approve the 18th package of sanctions against Russia on Friday. Slovakia had been blocking the package over concerns regarding a separate EU proposal phasing out gas imports from Russia.

https://p.dw.com/p/4xdPm
Slovakian PM Robert Fico speaks during a press conference on January 9, 2025
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has criticized a European Commission plan to halt gas imports from Russia, saying it would hurt the Slovak economy and consumers

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Thursday that his country will end its blockade of a new EU sanctions package against Russia.

Slovakia had been holding up the 18th EU sanctions package against Russia over concerns regarding a separate EU plan to stop gas imports from Russia beginning in 2028.

Fico: ‘Counterproductive’ to continue blockade of EU sanctions
Any new sanctions package requires unanimous approval from all 27 EU member states.

“At this point, it would be counterproductive to continue blocking the 18th sanctions package tomorrow,” Fico said in a video posted on Facebook. He said Slovakia received guarantees from the EU pertaining to gas prices and supply.

Fico also said “further dialogue is needed” to ensure Slovakia’s energy security.

EU ambassadors are expected to meet on Friday to finally greenlight the package. Previous attempts to pass the new sanctions failed during a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels earlier this week.