Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico on Tuesday demanded a legal exemption allowing his country to continue buying Russian gas until 2034 in exchange for lifting his veto on a new package of European Union sanctions against Russia.
He strongly criticized a European Commission plan to ban Russian gas imports after Jan. 1, 2028, calling it an "idiotic proposal" and asking for an exemption in the EU's 18th sanctions package against Russia.
In a statement on X, Fico said the Commission “can enforce its proposal even without Slovakia, as the right of veto does not apply.”
He added that Brussels only offered "certain guarantees" to Slovakia in exchange for supporting the EU's latest sanctions package against Russia, which requires unanimous backing.
Fico revealed that the Commission's letter outlining those guarantees was also shared with leaders of all relevant Slovak political parties, who largely found the assurances insufficient, with some calling them "nothing."
"Supporting the 18th sanctions package and also backing the cessation of Russian gas supplies from 2028 cannot be described in any other way than saying the opposition is fulfilling its political program—stupidly causing harm at any cost," he wrote.
"The governing coalition rejects the idiotic proposal from the European Commission to stop Russian gas flows from 2028," he said, adding the coalition is open to negotiating terms that would ensure energy security beyond that date.
Fico also instructed Slovakia’s representative to request a postponement of the vote on the 18th sanctions package, emphasizing the need for a national consensus.
"The best solution to the situation would be to grant Slovakia an exemption allowing it to fulfill its contract with Russian Gazprom until it expires in 2034," he added.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on June 10 announced an 18th sanctions package targeting Russia’s energy, banking and defense sectors, requiring unanimous EU support.
On June 17, the Commission also proposed banning Russian gas and LNG imports by the end of 2027, requiring approval from a qualified majority of EU member states and the European Parliament through a co-decision process.
By Melike Pala in Brussels
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com