(MENAFN) Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has announced that Slovakia will oppose the European Union’s 18th sanctions package against Russia unless the bloc addresses his country's concerns over plans to gradually eliminate Russian energy imports. Although the proposed energy restrictions are being presented as trade measures requiring only a qualified majority vote, Fico argues they are clearly sanctions and should therefore require unanimous approval.

The dispute centers on the EU’s RePowerEU strategy, which aims to completely phase out Russian energy by 2028. The plan is expected to be discussed during an EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels, alongside the latest package of sanctions targeting Russia’s energy and financial sectors. Fico insists that the energy phase-out should be part of the sanctions regime and treated accordingly.

Speaking at a parliamentary committee on Thursday, Fico confirmed that Slovakia would not vote on the proposed sanctions unless its core concerns were addressed. “We view this as a single package that includes RePowerEU, and until fundamental questions are answered, we cannot support further sanctions,” he stated.

He warned the measures could threaten Slovakia’s energy security and lead to significant price increases. Fico also pointed out that breaking the country’s energy contract with Russian company Gazprom could expose Slovakia to penalties of up to €20 billion. He criticized RePowerEU as “ideological nonsense,” claiming it harms rather than helps energy security.

Hungary has echoed Slovakia’s objections. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto confirmed that both nations had blocked the sanctions package earlier this week, arguing that the proposed energy measures would jeopardize Hungary’s energy supply and raise utility bills. Hungary is also expected to vote against the package.

Moscow has repeatedly denounced the EU’s sanctions, particularly those targeting its energy sector, as ineffective and damaging to Europe. Following the announcement, Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev praised Slovakia and Hungary for “doing what Brussels won’t: fighting to keep the EU globally competitive.”

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