Slovak Prime Minister Fico vetoes EU sanctions package against Russia

In early July 2025, Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico took a strong stance during the European Council meeting by vetoing the 18th package of sanctions against Russia. His decision, influenced by urgent concerns regarding Slovakia's energy security and the implications of cutting off Russian gas supplies, has attracted criticism and concern from various EU leaders and parties. Fico insists that Slovakia needs guarantees over energy prices before committing to the sanctions, which include halting importation of Russian gas by 2028. The situation escalated as the European Green Party accused Fico of undermining unity within the EU by sabotaging these critical sanctions. On June 26, during a significant European Council summit, EU leaders engaged in discussions aimed at condemning the ongoing Russian aggression and reinforcing Ukraine's defense capabilities. While other nations pushed for a united front, Fico’s veto disrupted this collective effort, being labeled by European Green leaders as an act of sabotage and comparing him to a Trojan horse for Russia. This political tension underlined the complexities Slovakia faces in balancing domestic energy needs with EU expectations and sanctions policies against Russia. Public sentiment in Slovakia surrounding Fico's decision seems mixed; while some support his call for guarantees regarding energy security, others view his veto as detrimental to Slovakia's standing within the EU and a betrayal of collective European unity. The ramifications of his actions could lead to prolonged negotiations with the European Commission and impact Slovakia’s energy policy for years to come. Fico's government is now in a precarious situation, as they assert that they will continue to advocate for compensations and assurances from the European Commission concerning the potential fallout of the proposed sanctions. The tension created by this veto not only affects Slovakia's local politics but also casts a shadow over Europe’s coordinated response to Russian actions in Ukraine, highlighting the fragility of consensus within the EU on foreign policy matters.