Fico, the PM of Slovakia, says that Slovakia is likely to support a new EU sanctions package against Russia

Robert Fico, the Prime Minister of Slovakia, said that the country, which had been a skeptic about the 19th package of sanctions against Russia from the European Union, will now support the measures, provided its demands are met at the summit this week between the leaders of the EU.

On Thursday, EU leaders will meet to discuss the war in Ukraine as well as European defense.

Slovakia has refused to sign off on the bloc’s

The 19th package sanctions

The EU has condemned Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, and demanded that it make proposals on how to reduce the negative impact of climate targets on automakers and the high prices of electricity in the Union.

Fico said in a speech to a committee of the parliament on Wednesday that he will meet German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to discuss energy and the auto sector before the summit.

Fico stated, "So, if we look at the conclusions we have pushed through this evening, I'll go over them again and tell Chancellor Merz we are in agreement with the 19th Package." Fico stated that some of the demands made by Fico had been incorporated into the summit conclusions.

The Slovakia delayed the previous package of sanctions due to demands related to a separate EU Plan to phase out Russian Energy Imports. This plan requires majority approval as opposed to sanctions which require unanimity from EU members. The 19th package of sanctions includes a variety of financial and energy measures. The Slovakian government set its conditions for supporting the package one month ago.

Fico is a critic who believes that sanctions hurt Europe more than Russia.

He has split ranks with European allies because of his pro-Moscow position and met Russian President Vladimir Putin on three occasions since last year. Slovakia continues to import Russian energy and claims that alternatives would be a financial hit.

The Slovakian economy is heavily dependent on the automobile sector. It has also joined other countries in criticizing EU plans to phase out combustion engines in the next decade. Slovakia has also accused high electricity costs of hurting the competitiveness of EU companies compared to those in the United States and China.

(source: Reuters)