Slovakia refused to give the go-ahead for the 18th package of sanctions against Russia at a meeting of European Union ambassadors on 27 June, diplomats familiar with the discussions said without being named.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fitzo refused to give political consent to the 18th package at a summit of EU leaders. Discussions continued at ambassadorial level, but no progress was made. Even before the discussions began, Slovakia warned that it would not give its consent and that the dialogue would continue at a higher level.
Slovakia’s EU representation informed colleagues from Coreper (the EU’s Committee of Permanent Representatives, which is made up of the heads of missions of member states) that on 26 June, the day of the EU leaders’ summit, Robert Fico met separately with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the 18th package.
“In our opinion, this brought us closer to a satisfactory solution,” the Slovak mission’s note to Coreper noted.
Bratislava is known to criticise the EU’s plans to completely abandon Russian gas and oil. The country, which is dependent on energy from Russia, demands a solution from Brussels that would prevent an energy crisis in Slovakia.
On 3 July, the note said, Slovakia expects a visit from a “high-ranking European Commission official” for further discussions around a working plan previously agreed.
“Until then, our position on the 18th sanctions package will remain unchanged,” the Slovak delegation to the EU summarised.