Slovak Prime Minister Vows to Block EU Energy Embargo on Russia

Slovak PM makes veto pledge to Putin — RT Business News

Slovakia’s Prime Minister, Robert Fico, has vowed to block any attempt by the European Union to impose a full energy embargo on Russia. During a meeting with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Fico denounced Western efforts to build a “new Iron Curtain” and warned that halting Russian gas and oil deliveries would create instability, particularly for countries like Slovakia. The Slovak leader emphasized that his country’s refineries are configured for Russian crude, and stopping supplies could cause technological problems.

Fico’s stance is in opposition to the European Commission’s REPowerEU plan, which aims to eliminate the EU’s reliance on Russian fossil fuels by 2027. He argued that if the decision to impose an embargo requires agreement from all 27 EU member states, Slovakia will use its veto right to block the move. Additionally, Fico criticized sanctions on Russia as ineffective and damaging to the EU itself, and dismissed the notion that nuclear fuel from US-based Westinghouse could replace Russian supplies at Slovak power stations, saying it’s “simply impossible.”

The Slovak Prime Minister also expressed his concerns about increasing efforts by the West to impose isolation, referencing travel restrictions from EU states that he faced en route to Moscow. Fico framed his visit to Moscow as a moral obligation, citing the over 60,000 Red Army soldiers who died during the liberation of Slovakia. He considered it his duty to pay tribute and emphasized the importance of diplomacy and dialogue, even with countries that hold differing views.

Fico’s comments came after EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told him that he was “on the wrong side of history.” In response, Fico wrote that Kallas has “absolutely no authority to criticize the sovereign Prime Minister of a sovereign country who approaches all European matters constructively.” He added, “How can diplomacy and foreign policy be conducted if politicians are not supposed to meet and engage in normal dialogue on issues where they hold differing views?” Fico’s strong stance on the issue highlights the complexities and challenges facing the EU as it navigates its relationships with Russia and other global powers.

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