Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has firmly rejected a request from his Czech counterpart, Petr Fiala, to unconditionally support the European Union’s 18th sanctions package against Russia, citing Slovakia’s national interest and energy security.
In a formal letter dated July 14, Fico acknowledged receiving Fiala’s appeal, but noted that Slovakia would only agree to the new sanctions if the European Commission provides concrete guarantees that the country will continue to receive sufficient supplies of natural gas at reasonable prices after Jan. 1, 2028.
“We have linked the proposal of the 18th sanctions package with the European Commission’s proposal to halt all deliveries of Russian gas starting from Jan. 1, 2028,” Fico wrote. “We are requesting that the relevant stakeholders provide the Slovak Republic with the necessary guarantees… This is a matter of Slovak national interest. I ask that you respect this.”
Dear Prime Minister, dear Petr
I acknowledge receipt of your letter in which you request that the Slovak government unconditionally approve the 18th sanctions package against the Russian Federation.
The Slovak Republic is a democratic and sovereign country. We have linked the… pic.twitter.com/92ShnfjkW8
— Robert Fico 🇸🇰 (@RobertFicoSVK) July 14, 2025
Slovakia and Hungary have long frustrated the majority of EU member states’ desire to hit Moscow with fresh sanctions in response to its continued aggression against Ukraine, and while the Czech government has pushed for unwavering alignment with Brussels, Fico has taken a more pragmatic line, balancing opposition to Russian aggression with economic self-preservation.
Energy security for Central and Eastern European nations was threatened at the beginning of this year when Ukraine ceased the gas flow following the expiration of a contract with Russia, leaving Slovakia and other European nations scrambling to secure supplies.
“The resumption of gas flow through Ukraine should be in the interest of the entire European Union, including Slovakia, of course,” Fico said at a press conference in Croatia back in April, during a visit to Zagreb to seek alternative energy sources.
On Monday, Fico acknowledged the Czech Republic’s importance to Slovakia and proposed a bilateral government meeting to de-escalate tensions. “The best response to the unnecessary tension in the international arena would be a joint meeting of the governments of the Slovak Republic and the Czech Republic,” he wrote, inviting Fiala to Slovakia for direct talks.
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