This is reported by Kyiv24
Slovakia is actively negotiating with the European Commission and European Union countries, seeking to reach an agreement to protect its energy interests in the event of a disruption in Russian gas supplies. Additionally, the country is demanding guarantees regarding the consequences of a potential new sanctions package against the Russian Federation.
Slovakia’s Position on Gas Supplies and Sanctions
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that his government aims to obtain political commitments and guarantees from EU partners and the European Commission so that energy risks do not rest solely on Slovakia’s shoulders. The Slovak side insists that new restrictions should be accompanied by specific support mechanisms.
“We must gain something in this struggle, even though it won’t be a 100:0 result. We want political commitments, guarantees from partners and the European Commission that this issue will not rest solely on Slovakia’s shoulders,” Fico said.
According to the Prime Minister, it remains uncertain whether a compromise will be reached, as several issues are still unresolved. One of the key aspects is the establishment of the level of transit fees that Slovakia must pay for alternative routes of non-Russian gas supplies.
Discrepancies Regarding Gas Imports and New Sanctions
Slovakia is currently blocking the adoption of the 18th EU sanctions package due to disagreement with a separate initiative from the European Commission regarding a complete ban on Russian gas imports by 2028. Slovakia believes that such a decision could lead to a shortage of energy resources, rising prices and transit fees, as well as legal claims from the Russian “Gazprom” for compensation of losses.
The embargo proposed by the European Commission on Russian energy resources starting in 2028 requires the support of a majority of EU countries, but not unanimity. At the same time, unanimous support from all member states is needed to approve the new sanctions package against the Russian Federation. This is why Slovakia has linked both issues and refused to support the sanctions package until its energy concerns receive proper attention.
It is worth noting that the European Commission presented a new sanctions package in June, the main point of which is to lower the cap price on Russian oil from $60 to $45 per barrel. As this policy is coordinated within the Group of Seven (G7), the EU has also sought to reach an agreement with other G7 participants, including the United States, during the summit in Canada that took place last month.